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Allergy Relief: Home and Medical Care
The best treatment for any allergy is avoidance:
whenever possible, distance yourself from the allergen.
Unfortunately, though, many allergens are widespread and
difficult to dodge. Pollen can travel great distances.
Dust is everywhere. Pet dander can make its way into your
home or workplace on other people's clothes. Avoidance
often isn't enough to provide allergy relief.
Fortunately, a number of treatments can bring you allergy
relief. They range from over-the-counter antihistamines
and eye drops to nasal steroids and allergy shots. Here's
basic information about different treatment options:
Oral Antihistamines: Clarinex, Claritin and Allegra
Oral antihistamines provide relief from allergy
symptoms by counteracting the effects of histamine. Oral
antihistamines work well, but tend to make people drowsy.
More recent drugs, such as Claritin®,Clarinex®
and Allegra®, tend to cause less
drowsiness than older antihistamines. Headaches, dry mouth
and nose, dizziness and stomach problems are possible side
effects. Clarinex has been known to occasionally cause
painful menstruation. Claritin is available in both tablet
and syrup form, and is now available without a
prescription.
Diphenhydramine
For mild hay fever symptoms, over-the-counter
decongestants that contain diphenhydramine can work as
well as prescription drugs. Decongestants can be found in
both nasal spray and tablet form. A decongestant nasal
spray provides quick relief, but extended use of a
medicated nasal spray can actually worsen nasal
congestion.
Some prescription drugs, such as Allegra D, are an
antihistamine/ decongestant combination.
Calamine Lotion:
Relief for Minor Allergies
If you suffer from the itching
that so often accompanies insect
bites, calamine lotion can help.
Calamine lotion can also provide
temporary relief from rashes caused by
poison ivy and other irritants. It is
less effective for treating severe
symptoms. |
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Nasal Sprays: Nasonex, Flonase
and NasalCrom
Nasal steroids are among the most effective forms of
nasal allergy relief. Sprayed or inhaled once or twice a
day, nasal steroids, such as Nasonex®
and Flonase®, reduce the inflammation
caused by histamine. It takes several days before the full
effects of a steroid medication are felt.
Side effects of nasal steroids vary. A stinging sensation
in the nose is not uncommon. More serious side effects can
result from prolonged use of steroids. They include
cataracts, osteoporosis, and growth suppression in
children. The frequency of these side effects is not as
common as health professionals previously believed, and
many people use steroids to control their allergies quite
safely.
If you cannot take steroids, other anti-inflammatory
sprays are available, including NasalCrom®,
which contains cromolyn sodium. Like nasal steroids, they
reduce inflammation, but have to be used much more often:
up to four doses a day may be necessary.
Allergy Shots and Immunotherapy
Hay fever and stinging insect allergies can often be
treated with allergy shots. Small amounts of the allergen
are injected into the body. Over time, the allergy shots
increase in potency, and the body's immune system builds
up a resistance to the allergen. The process is known as
immunotherapy. Immunotherapy takes time: if you're
considering allergy shots, you may require monthly
injections for three to five years.
Eye Drops
Itching, redness and discomfort in the eyes can be
soothed with eye drops. Eye drops have few side effects,
although some over-the-counter eye drops can cause
irritation if used for long periods of time. Eye drops can
be very effective for short-term relief. Some people chill
eye drops before using them to gain extra relief from the
cool liquid.
Allergic Asthma Medication
Singulair® is an asthma medication that is
available in tablet and chewable tablet forms. It has a
proven record of controlling asthma by reducing
inflammation, and many people find it helps control
allergic reactions. Singulair must be taken regularly for
it to be effective: it cannot be used to treat reactions
once they start. Available by prescription, Singulair's
side effects can include headaches, nasal congestion,
stomach pain, dizziness and skin rashes.
SOURCE
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