Affordable allergy treatment

While there is no cure for allergies, there are medications available to provide relief from allergy symptoms. Allergy medications can be bought over-the-counter or can be prescribed by your doctor. The most common drugs used to help relieve the symptoms of allergies include:

• Antihistamines: These medications work by blocking the histamines that are released by your immune system when it detects an allergen. Histamines are meant to force an irritant out of the body and may cause redness, swelling, and itching. By preventing histamines from attaching to receptors in the blood vessels, these medications can help reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• Decongestants: Decongestants help shrink swollen blood vessels in the nasal tissue, reducing the symptoms of an allergic reaction such as congestion, mucus secretion, and redness.
• Combination drugs: These are medications that combine antihistamines and decongestants to help combat multiple allergy symptoms.
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids prevent inflammation in the nose. This helps reduce congestion and breathing difficulties caused by an allergic reaction.

While there is no cure for allergies, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make in order to improve your symptoms and reduce your exposure to allergens, including:

• Saline nasal irrigation: To help with congestion, you can use a neti pot or a specially designed bottle to rinse your sinuses out with a salt and water solution. Be sure to follow the directions of these devices to avoid infection.
• Reduce exposure to household allergens: Keep your living area dust-free and clear of pet dander by washing cloth-covered surfaces such as bedding and couch covers frequently and vacuuming with a fine filter.
• Reduce mold exposure: Use dehumidifiers and ventilation fans to reduce moisture in damp areas.