Allergies develop when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance or food that normally causes no reaction in most people.
Your body produces chemicals called antibodies to fight dangerous germs. Allergic reactions are caused by the immune system producing antibodies to mistakenly combat a harmless substance. Common allergens include pollen, pet dander, insect stings, or certain foods. Your immune system's reaction to an allergen might inflame your skin, sinuses, lungs, or digestive tract when you come into contact with it.
Allergies vary in intensity from person to person. An allergic reaction may range from slight discomfort to anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal medical emergency. While most allergies are incurable, some therapies can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Common Medication
Treatment Options
Below are some common allergy medications that a doctor or provider can prescribe to you for just $5 through SesameRx.
Below are common treatment options your doctor may recommend to treat allergies. Always defer to your doctor’s treatment plan.
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.
Immunotherapy may be recommended by your doctor to improve your tolerance to a specific allergen. This is done by gradually exposing your body to greater levels of the allergen over several years. Immunotherapy uses either shots or under-the-tongue tablets to expose you to concentrated doses of the allergen.
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.