Allergy Relief Treatment
- One effective allergy relief treatment is avoidance. For those allergic to ragweed or pollen, it's best to stay indoors during high seasons, which can occur at different times of the year for different regions. After spending time outdoors, change and launder clothing. Keep windows closed and air conditioning units on recirculate. Before going to bed, shower and wash your hair so that allergens do not infect bedding. For other allergens like mold, animal dander and pet hair, it's best to use HEPA vacuum cleaners, which minimize the amount of dust and particles that go back into the environment. Use special bedding that is dust-mite resistant.
- Antihistamines treat allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine, which is the main cause of bronchial and sinus symptoms. Medications like Claritin and Benadryl help reduce sneezing, runny nose and itchiness in the throat and eyes.
Decongestants clear nasal congestion, reduce swelling and inflammation in nasal passages and ease breathing. Nasal sprays can treat symptoms immediately.
Cromolyn sodium, sold as NasalCrom, is used to prevent wheezing, tightness in the chest and breathing trouble. It is for long-term treatment of seasonal and chronic allergies and works best when taken prior to an attack. If you have constant exposure to allergies, you should take this medication continuously. - Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, works by strengthening the immune system to resist substances it sees as harmful. Allergy shots are recommended for people with persistent and chronic symptoms that do not respond well to other therapies. Typically, a person will need to have monthly shots for two to three years. The therapy injects a minuscule amount of the allergens, effectively training the body to develop a resistance, but not cause a full-blown allergic reaction.
