Allergies
Treating Allergies
How Do I Treat My Allergies?
Allergy Shots aka Immunotherapy
Allergy shots (also known as immunotherapy or allergy immunization) are an effective and safe treatment for people who suffer from a variety of allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma and insect stings. The treatment works by introducing small amounts of purified substances to which the person is allergic, in gradually increasing amounts. The allergy shots improve the patient’s natural resistance to the allergens and minimize or eliminate the need for medications. Allergy shots are usually recommended for people suffering from severe allergies or those who have allergy symptoms more than 3 months out of the year. They are not a cure for allergies, but they will reduce your sensitivity to certain allergens.
Another option is a monoclonal antibody (an anti IgE antibody), such as omalizumab (Xolair), which reduce your immune system’s reaction to allergens by blocking IgE. Xolair is delivered by injection every two to four weeks.
| Generic Name: Omalizumab
Brand Name: Xolair |
Possible side effects include, but are not limited to: injection-site reaction, headache, sinusitis, sore throat viral infections, and upper respiratory tract infection.
Like all medical treatments, allergy shots (immunotherapy) can have side effects. Your doctor will discuss this with you in detail. Under no circumstances should you consider allergy shots without at least an attempt at avoidance of the troublesome allergen. For instance, cat allergy shots are no substitute for cat avoidance. Some allergens, though, such as grass pollen, are almost unavoidable.
Allergy shots are given regularly in the upper arm, with gradually increasing doses. At the beginning of immunotherapy, you may need to see your physician once or twice a week for several months. The dose is increased each time until the maintenance dose is reached. If the shots are effective, you will see your physician approximately every 2 to 4 weeks for 2 to 5 more years. You may become less sensitive to allergens during this time, your allergy symptoms may become milder and it is possible that they may even go away completely.
If your symptoms are becoming unmanageable with medication alone, and if the allergen cannot be avoided and the symptoms are hard to control, speak with your doctor about whether allergy shots are a good option for you. Please keep in mind, however, that allergy shots do not work for everybody, require frequent doctor’s visits, and may cause uncomfortable side effects (such as hives and/or rashes) and in extreme cases, dangerous outcomes (such as anaphylaxis). Immunotherapy is not proven to be effective for hives or food allergies. Also, they do not work for everybody and require frequent doctor’s visits.
Medication Options For Treating Allergies
The good news is that most allergies are easily treated with medication.
This guide will explain your allergy drug options, including a list of allergy drugs, what they do, and their generic and brand names.
Antihistamine Medications
For many years, antihistamine medications have been available and are used to treat allergy symptoms. They are available and can be taken as pills, liquid, nasal spray or eye drops. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops relieve red itchy eyes; pills and nasal sprays are used to treat the symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies.
How do antihistamine medications work?
When you are exposed to an allergen, your immune system is triggered into action. Your mast cells (immune system cells) then release histamine which attaches to receptors in blood vessels causing them to enlarge. Histamine also binds to other receptors causing redness, swelling, itching and changes in secretions. Antihistamine medications block these histamine receptors, thereby preventing the symptoms of your allergic reactions.
If your symptoms do not go away with antihistamine medications alone, nasal corticosteroid sprays are generally safe and may work well. Decongestants in pill or nasal spray form can also help relieve a stuffy nose. However, nasal spray decongestants should not be used for more than several days at a time, because they may cause a “rebound” effect which worsens the congestion. Decongestants in pill form do not cause this problem.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids help and treat inflammations associated with allergies and allergic reactions
Decongestants
Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion. Examples of antihistamine medications and nasal sprays are outlined below.
Over-the-Counter – “OTC” Allergy Medications
| OTC Antihistamines in Pill Form | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Benadryl | Diphenhydramine |
| Claritin | Loratadine |
| Chlor-Trimeton | Chlorpheniramine Maleate |
| Dimetane | Prompheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine |
| Tavist | Clemastine Fumarate |
| Zyrtec | Cetirizine |
| Drixorol | Dexbrompheniramine |
OTC Eye Drops
| OTC Eye Drop Antihistamines | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Ocu-Hist | Naphazoline Hydrochloride, Pheniramine Maleate |
| Visine-A, Opcon-A, & others | Naphazoline |
Prescription Allergy Medications
| Prescription Antihistamines in Pill Form | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Allegra | Fexofenadine |
| Clarinex | |
| Clarinex RediTabs – available in disintegrating tablet, and syrop form | |
Eye Drops
| Antihistamines Eye Drops | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Emadine | Emedastine |
| Livostin | Levocabastine |
| Albalon | Naphazoline |
| Patanol | Olopatadine |
Mast Cell Stabilizer Eye Drops
| Mast Cell Stabilizer Eye Drops – Mast cell stabilizer eye drops prevent the release of the symptom triggering chemical histamine. They reduce symptoms associated with hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis, such as inflammation, itching, watering, and burning of the eyes. | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Crolom | Cromolyn Sodium |
| Alomide | Lodoxamide |
| Alamast | Pemirolast |
| Alocril | Nedocromil |
Corticosteroid Eye Drops
| Corticosteroid Eye Drops are prescription medications used to treat severe allergy symptoms such as red, watery and itchy eyes caused by hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. Generally used only for a short time period when other eye drops do not work. | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Decadron, Maxidex | Dexamethasone |
| FML, Fluor-Op | Fluorometholone |
| Pred Forte, Econopred | Prednisolone |
Nasal Sprays
| Antihistamines Nasal Sprays | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Astelin | Azelastine |
Nasal Spray
| Corticosteroid Nasal Spray | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Flonase & Veramyst | Fluticasone |
| Nasonex | Mometasone |
| Nasacort AQ | Triamcinolone |
| Rhinocort | Budesonide |
| Nasarel | Flunisolide |
| Beconase | Beclomethasone |
| NasalCrom | Cromolyn Sodium |
| For hay fever symptoms: Cromolyn sodium also prevents the release of histamine. | |
Leukotriene Modifiers
| Leukotriene Modifiers – Another medication option for allergy sufferers, particularly effective for those who also have asthma (although it is used to treat symptoms of hay fever as well) is leukotriene inhibitors. Leukotrienes are inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system (similar to the release of histamine) during an allergic reaction. The following medications are prescription leukotriene inhibitors approved for those with asthma and indoor and outdoor allergies: | |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Singular | Montelukast |
| Accolate | Zafirlukast |
| Zyflo | Zileuton |
Allergy Medication Side Effects
Generally, these allergy medications, if taken at their recommended dosages, will have few, if any, side effects.
Antihistamine Side Effects
Drowsiness and headache are the more common side effects from some antihistamine medications, both over the counter and prescription. However, drowsiness or a slightly sedated feeling may sometimes be desirable, for example at nighttime when allergies could potentially prevent restful sleep.
Less Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, and sleepiness.
Rare side effects include rash, hives, anaphylaxis, and shortness of breath.
Other side effects are also possible. If you notice any other effects, please check with your physician or healthcare professional.
Leukotriene modifier side effects
Side effects from leukotriene modifiers include cough, dizziness, headache, stomach upset or pain, stuffy nose, tiredness, or muscle weakness.
Nasal Spray Side Effects
There are some mild nasal spray side effects which may include an unpleasant smell or bitter taste, sneezing, nasal burning or bleeding, runny nose or sore throat, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue, headache, irritation (especially in the winter), crusting and nose bleeds (especially in the winter).
Eye Drop Side Effects
The side effects of some eye drops may cause burning and stinging when you first apply them, but this usually goes away in a few minutes. Blurred vision and other mild side effects are also possible. Additionally, you may have an increased risk of eye infections, glaucoma and cataracts with prolonged use of eye drops.
Prescription versus Non-Prescription Allergy Medications
Generally, the difference between prescription and non-prescription allergy medications is the overall time period that the medications work for to eliminate allergy symptoms. Over the counter medicines are generally short acting antihistamines and relieve mild to moderate symptoms; whereas prescription medications are generally longer acting, working for more extended time periods, and may relieve more severe allergy symptoms.
Please check each individual specific medication for complete detailed information on side effects, dosage, directions, etc. Please see your physician or health care provider if you experience side effects from any medications you are taking.
Additionally, specific illnesses caused by allergies, such as [asthma] or [eczema], require other treatments and medications. Please see our Key to Understanding Asthma and our Key to Understanding Eczema pages for additional information.
By understanding how allergy medications work, you can be informed when you work with your doctor to develop your treatment plan that will work for you. If you think you might have allergies or are experiencing any allergy symptoms, please your doctor and discuss allergy medication options suitable for you.
Allergy Prevention & Management
Managing Your Allergies
How Do I Manage My Allergies?
Avoidance! Avoid your allergy triggers! Once you have identified your allergy triggers, your must avoid them!
See your doctor and discuss allergy medication options suitable for you. If allergies and their pesky symptoms do strike, have an antihistamine medication on hand to treat your allergy symptoms. Make an appointment with your doctor if the allergy medication you have been taking or any other allergy treatment you use has ceased to work. If your symptoms are becoming unmanageable with medication alone, and if the allergen cannot be avoided and the symptoms are hard to control, speak with your doctor about whether allergy shots are a good option for you. Please keep in mind, however, that allergy shots do not work for everybody and require frequent doctor’s visits and may cause uncomfortable side effects (such as hives and/or rashes) and in extreme cases, dangerous outcomes (such as anaphylaxis).
Allergy Prevention
How do I prevent my allergy symptoms?
The best allergy prevention is avoidance! Avoid your allergy triggers! Once you have identified the allergens that trigger your allergic reactions, avoid them!
Click here to attack allergies back! Lots more tips on preventing and avoiding allergies.
Specialists who treat Allergies
Doctor Specialties who may treat allergies include Allergist & Immunologist, Rheumatologist, and a physician specializing in Internal Medicine.
Content Created/Medically Reviewed by our Expert Doctors
