Allergies can make our lives miserable. Period. From causing distractions at work to not letting us sleep peacefully, the list of miseries is quite long. Fortunately, services like immunotherapy for allergy control are existent.
But, there’s good news. Most allergies can be treated before they get worse, thanks to medical science. The only thing is that you need to know which allergy relief medicine to use for treating a particular allergy. This sounds easy, right? But it isn’t. You will be overwhelmed after going through the list of ingredients of such products.
This article will tell you what type of chemical composition treats a particular allergy. But before understanding it, let’s see what is an allergy and we’ll also go through something very useful.
What is an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction occurs when cells in our immune system interpret a foreign substance (allergen) as harmful.
Subsequently, the immune system reacts with these allergens and produces histamine. This chemical causes allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, inflammation, and coughing.
Fast facts on treating an allergic reaction
● Saline nasal rinses can treat congestion-related allergy symptoms.
● Most minor allergy symptoms are taken care of by antihistamines, corticosteroids, or decongestants.
● Skin rashes can be treated with corticosteroid creams.
● Immunotherapy works well for chronic allergy symptoms.
Treating allergic reactions with allergy relief medicine
The following medicines are useful to reduce the symptoms of allergic reactions:
Anti-inflammatory medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are used to temporarily reduce swelling, pain, and cramping caused by allergies.
Antihistamines
It is currently the most popular anti-allergic reaction in use. They treat minor allergic reactions regardless of their cause. As the name suggests, antihistamines act to reduce the body’s production of histamine. This further reduces all symptoms, including watering eyes, sneezing, and skin reactions.
Second-generation antihistamines such as Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) cause less drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl.
Antihistamines are available in several forms such as:
● Dissolvable tablets
● oral pills
● nasal sprays
● eye drops
● liquids
You can buy these either from pharmacies or online. But do consult a doctor before consuming them, especially if you are a pregnant woman or have a liver disorder.
Nasal decongestants
You will find this product in the form of allergy pills, liquids, and sprays. It can treat stuffy, swollen sinuses and related symptoms, including sore throat or coughing.
However, don’t consume decongestants continuously for more than 72 hours.
Treatment against environmental allergies
For airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust, and mold spores, you can use throat lozenges with soothing ingredients, such as menthol, honey, or ginger. The best treatment is still hiring Huntington beach mold inspectors to get rid of the mold. There are lab testing services that can help you identify hazardous materials like mold and asbestos.
Treating skin allergies
Allergic skin reactions are caused by coming in contact with allergens found in animal saliva, poisonous plants, chemicals, and metals. Treatment options include:
● Topical corticosteroid creams or tablets contain steroids that reduce inflammation and itching. You can buy mild forms of these creams online, and a doctor can prescribe stronger versions.
● Moisturizing creams contain soothing ingredients such as calamine that treat skin reactions.
● Bite or sting medication reduces allergic reactions to insect bites or stings.
Allergy shots
Allergy shots reduce sensitivity to the triggers that cause your allergies. This involves injecting small and increasing amounts of allergens over regular intervals. The typical treatment option consists of weekly injections with increasing doses for three to six months and then monthly injections for three to five years.
This type of treatment can prove to be very effective for seasonal allergies that cause sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy and swollen eyes. They are also recommended for life-threatening allergies to stinging insects and may treat allergic asthma as well. Currently, allergy shots are not used to treat food allergies. One of the biggest drawbacks of this treatment is the risk of a potentially serious allergic reaction from the shot itself. Improvements in allergy extracts and dosing schedules have reduced this risk to about 1% of all allergy shots.
Treating severe allergies
People should first speak to a medical professional if they suspect that they have severe or chronic allergies.
Treatment options for severe allergies include:
● Immunotherapy: It’s nearly 98 percent effective at reducing allergic reactions to insect stings, for instance.
● Prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
● Oral cromolyn works for food allergies.
● Drug desensitization therapy can be used for specific allergens.
Eye allergies
The best way to treat them are allergy eyes drops. These include over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops and medicated drops that require a prescription from your eye doctor.
The best allergy eye drops for you depends on the cause of your allergy and the severity of your condition.
Some allergy eye drops are formulated for short-term relief against acute symptoms, while others are designed for long-term use to reduce your sensitivity to allergens.
Summing it up
Allergies, if not treated or reduced on time, can lead to something dangerous. It’s important that you be self-aware about such symptoms and take corrective action before it’s too late.