Approximately 50 million Americans experience some form of allergic reaction from pollen, latex, pet dander, and other allergens. Most cases are usually mild to moderate, but symptoms may be life-threatening for some patients. Here are some potential treatments to alleviate symptoms of your allergies Rockville.
What Are Allergies?
An allergy is an unhealthy reaction to a substance your immune system views as foreign. Most of those substances are usually harmless to the body. Allergens may include pollen, animal fur, animal proteins, and dust.
Symptoms of allergies may vary in severity from mild to life-threatening. Substances found in dust mites, mold, or pets can result in itchy eyes, skin redness, and swelling. The persistence of asthma symptoms is often attributed to allergens.
Managing Symptoms with Medication
Several medications can effectively provide relief for your allergies. They often work by reducing symptoms from your allergic reaction.
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines block histamine, a compound produced during the immune response that enlarges blood vessels. Antihistamines eliminate redness, swelling, and itching, by preventing histamine from binding with immune receptors in your blood. They are available over the counter or through a prescription from your doctor. It takes one to three hours after taking the medication to see results.
- Steroids: Also known as corticosteroids, steroids can relieve symptoms like itchy and runny nose from seasonal allergies. They stop inflammation and reduce swelling from allergic reactions. The medication is often effective, but you must stick to your prescription for corticosteroids for the best results. Steroids are often prescribed for seasonal allergies lasting several weeks.
- Decongestants: Decongestants are for short-term treatment of allergic symptoms. As the name suggests, they alleviate congestion in the sinus and nasal passage by cutting down fluids accumulating in your nose. Decongestants can provide relief within 15 and 30 minutes after taking the medication. But they are not meant as a long-term solution for managing allergies.
Immuno-therapy treatment and allergy shots
Allergy shots are an immune-therapy treatment containing measured quantities of the same compounds causing your allergies. They activate the immune response, but the minuscule allergen quantities do not result in an unhealthy allergic reaction.
The treatment teaches the immune system to regulate its reaction to allergens. Allergy shots release antibodies to block the allergen and diminish the symptom’s severity with time. The process prevents the development of new allergies and limits the progression of asthma.
Your doctor will determine the correct dosage for the best long-term outcome. The healthcare practitioner performs skin and blood tests to find triggers unique for each patient.
Health practitioners usually prescribe allergy shots where multiple triggers are responsible for your allergic reactions. However, they are the most effective way to address allergies. Allergy shots are the only treatment that can enhance immunity for the long-term management of allergic reactions.
Conventional allergy medication does not always manage symptoms effectively. Allergy shots provide a solution that does not interfere with other drugs. Its lasting effects on your immune system can reduce your long-term need for allergy medication.
Contact Quality Primary Care to learn more about effective allergy treatments in Rockville.
