The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.
Medications & More
Reviewed by: Marc J. Sicklick, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI
When you know that you’ll be having a close encounter with an allergen—or you already have—there are several classes of medications 
that can give you relief from symptoms. Most are available in prescription or over-the-counter varieties:
- Antihistamines. They relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy and watery eyes. However, antihistamines are most effective if you take them regularly, or three to five hours before coming into contact with an allergen. This is because antihistamines actually disrupt the allergy-causing histamine molecules in your bloodstream, halting the allergy cascade process midstream. Antihistamines are available in both drowsy and non-drowsy varieties.
- Decongestants. These medications reduce the nasal congestion, swelling and redness that occur when histamine released from cells tell blood vessels and mucous membranes to swell. They work by constricting the swollen nasal tissues, which prevents fluid and mucus from forming. You should not use decongestants longer or more frequently than the medication's instructions direct. If you find you need to take decongestants more often than directed, visit your doctor for a more permanent treatment
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs are used to reduce pain and inflammation associated with allergy symptoms. Examples include aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Nasal saline solutions. These OTC products, which rinse your nose out with a saltwater solution, may relieve minor congestion, loosen mucus and prevent crusting. However, this treatment is not effective at preventing allergy symptoms from occurring.
If you have chronic, persistent allergies, and neither avoidance nor medications provide much help, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy, popularly known as “allergy shots.” A doctor trained in the procedure (such as an allergist) will give you shots to gradually expose you to increasing amounts of your specific allergy trigger (allergen) until your immune system becomes more tolerant to it. You may get shots once or twice a week for several months, then once or twice a month for up to a year or more. Not everyone benefits, so discuss the pros and cons with your health care provider.
What's Next: Got Allergic Asthma?
Review date: 08-03-2009
Managing Allergies
