Allergy Relief Medicines and Treatments

There are many different forms of allergy relief medicines and treatments, many of which are "over the counter" medications.  There are times when regular, over the counter allergy relief medicines like antihistamines and decongestants are not enough to control allergic reactions. What you need then is additional treatment. This article explores some additional forms of allergy relief treatments and medicines.

Allergy Shots: What are they?

Affordable and Natural Allergy Remedies

Also known as immunotheraphy, allergy shots are a form of allergy relief medicine that work by changing the way your immune system recognizes an allergen. It’s a preventive treatment so the next time you are exposed to allergen substances, such as grass pollens, house dust mites, and wasp and bee venom, you’ll have a better chance at controlling your allergic reaction.

Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. This allows your immune system to gradually get used to the substance. Although this allergic relief medicine can be very effective, it is far from a quick fix. It takes time, usually one to two years, to get your immune system to act normally every time an allergen is introduced into the body.

Before you start on allergy shots, you should first see your doctor. That’s because not everyone is safe taking allergy shots. If you have severe asthma or heart problems or taking a beta blocker, allergy shots are not recommended.   When you consult a doctor about allergy shots, he will first do an allergy test on you to determine exactly what allergens are causing your allergies. After the specific allergens have been identified, you will start getting shots one to two times a week.

Oral Medications for Allergy Relief 

If you find that you want faster-acting allergy relief medicines, then the best choice you have are oral antihistamines and decongestants.

Histamine is the substance released by the body when the immune system produces too many antibodies as a reaction to allergen exposure. It is also the same substance that causes inflammation of the tissues. An antihistamine will suppress the production of histamines.

The allergy relief medicine antihistamines provide relief of symptoms, such as rash, hives, watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes, and sneezing. Decongestants, on the other hand, relieve congestion, promote sinus draining and improve breathing.

Antihistamines and decongestants can have side effects. Common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, stomach upset, blurred vision, restlessness, irritability, dry mouth and dry nose. These side effects should lessen as your body adjusts to the allergy relief medicine.

Alternative Allergy Relief Medicines and Treatments

Acupressure – a total body treatment (you remain clothed) on pressure points to stimulate the flow of energy and improve circulation throughout the body

Acupuncture – offers effective treatment for hay fever, one of the symptoms of allergies

BioSET – a four-step process focusing on specific organ detoxification, bioenergetic testing, enzyme therapy, and allergy elimination techniques

Chiropractic Care – not a treatment for allergies, however, it does permit the nervous system to function with less stress and the immune system to function more effectively