Americans are more allergic than ever before, with 50 to 60 million of us suffering from some type of allergy condition. Whether you suffer from a food allergy or just seasonal hay fever, allergies can range from really annoying to significantly debilitating. Here's a rundown of your options for treatment to help get some allergy relief.
When You Need Relief Right Now Antihistamines block histamine (a chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction), reducing symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes and hives. Older OTC versions may make you drowsy, a problem that's less likely with newer ones like Zyrtec and Claritin.
When You Need Ongoing Protection Corticosteroids such as Nasonex and Flonase help prevent and reduce inflammation that occurs with nasal allergies. Prescribed as an inhaler or nose spray, they need to be used on a regular basis--before you have an attack--to really work.
When Corticosteroids Aren't Enough Leukotriene modifiers (Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate) block the inflammatory chemicals released during an allergic reaction. Though most effective for asthma, these drugs (usually pills) can also relieve hay fever.
When You Know an Exposure is Coming If you get sneezy and wheezy every April or you're about to visit a friend with a furry pal, mast cell stabilizers such as cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom) can help. They prevent the release of histamine, are OTC (though you need a prescription for inhaler versions), and are best used before exposure (typically a week or two). You can also use them on a daily basis during allergy season.
When You Don't Want to Take Meds Regularly Allergy shots (immunotherapy) train the immune system to tolerate specific triggers. Most people get shots for three to five years, starting with weekly injections. After a while, many no longer need medication, and "the benefits last for years," says Dr. White. "It's the closest thing we have to a cure."...
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