Allergy treatments

Maybe you're tired of the itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing that you experience every spring or every time you're near your neighbor's cat. You want relief from these allergy symptoms, but you're not sure what your options are. Understanding your options can help you work with your doctor to design an allergy treatment program.

In general, avoiding the substances (allergens) you're allergic to is the first and simplest form of treatment. This is true whether you have allergic rhinitis - allergies to allergens such as mold, pollen and pet dander - or allergies to specific foods or drugs.

Allergy Relief

Some of the medications used to treat respiratory allergy symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eyedrops. When avoiding allergens isn't enough to control your symptoms, your doctor may suggest medications as a second approach

What do medications do?

Allegra D
Allegra
Claritin-D
Flonase
Nasacort
Nasacort AQ
Nasonex
Patanol
Zyrtec

If you have allergic rhinitis and avoidance doesn't work to reduce your symptoms, your doctor may suggest medications, such as antihistamines.

If neither of these strategies reduces your allergic rhinitis symptoms, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy shots - injections of the allergen(s) you're allergic to - to desensitize you to the allergen(s) over time.

Avoiding allergens: The first step toward controlling allergies

Taking steps to avoid exposure to the substances you're allergic to can be the simplest strategy for controlling your allergies. Depending on what you're allergic to, this strategy may vary.

If you're allergic to dust mites, pollen, mold or pet dander, you can reduce your exposure to these substances by making a few changes in your home and lifestyle.

For example, if you're allergic to dust mites or mold:

• Maintain a humidity level of 50 percent or less in your home.
  
• Use an air conditioner in the summer.
  
• Cover your mattress, box spring and pillows with plastic or allergen-proof covers.
  
• Remove carpeting.
  
• Use nonupholstered furniture and washable draperies.
  

If you're allergic to pollen:

• Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.