Medications and therapies to treat seasonal allergies can be helpful in treating the symptoms and reducing the occurrence of allergy attacks. Corticosteroids, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays help ease symptoms. (For a brief overview of seasonal allergies, see Allergy Symptoms.)
Allergies caused by allergens such as dust mites and mold cause a variety of symptoms that occur during different seasons. Allergy symptoms include runny nose, itchy skin, swollen glands near the nose and throat, congestion, coughing, sneezing, and chest discomfort. Seasonal allergies can result from an allergen that you cannot seem to avoid. For example, pollen from certain flowers, grass, trees, and shrubs can trigger an allergy attack when you are exposed to these allergens. This can result in a bout of seasonal allergic asthma or hay fever. Other allergens such as pet dander can cause allergic attacks in different circumstances.
While some medications and therapies to treat seasonal allergies are used on a regular basis for many people, allergies can affect you in one season but not the next. Medication is not the only treatment option for allergies caused by allergens. A visit to your doctor can help your family understand how to treat their allergy symptoms effectively.
Common medications and therapies to treat seasonal allergies include nasal sprays to reduce nasal congestion
Some medications are available without a prescription. These types of allergy medications can be found at pharmacies and sometimes even on the Internet. Allergy sprays can help ease symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which is a condition where the nose and throat become irritated by allergenic substances.
Medications like corticosteroids may be prescribed for people suffering from mild cases of allergies. A steroid spray helps to reduce the symptoms of a seasonal allergy attack by decreasing the inflammation that causes the allergy symptoms. Corticosteroids also help to reduce inflammation that causes allergic reactions, including itching and swelling in the nose and throat. Corticosteroids are often used in combination with other allergens such as antihistamines and antihistamine nasal decongestant.
Antihistamines are commonly used for allergy treatments for several reasons. They help reduce the severity of allergy symptoms, they help decrease inflammation, and they also slow down the immune system's reaction to allergens. Antihistamines prevent the swelling and redness of inflamed nasal passages. This can reduce symptoms and also help prevent asthma attacks. A doctor will usually recommend antihistamine nasal sprays to those who have severe allergies.
People who suffer from severe seasonal allergies may need to take two to four antihistamine nasal spray treatments a day. Antihistamine nasal sprays are usually given as a single pill every day. Injections of steroids and non-steroidal antihistamine drugs are sometimes needed if the symptoms of allergies are more severe. Antihistamines are generally given in combination with one or more other medications.
Allergy therapy can be very effective for people whose allergy symptoms are triggered by allergens that they cannot avoid. However, some people may need to take multiple medications or even undergo allergy therapy in order to effectively treat their allergy symptoms. If the symptoms of seasonal allergies are too severe for medications to help you, a doctor may have to recommend surgery or oral immunotherapy.
Allergic rhinitis is a common allergy problem in children and adults. It can be quite difficult to treat allergic rhinitis because of the fact that the symptoms may appear anywhere in the body. The most common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, wheezing, and congestion.
People who are allergic to seasonal allergens can help reduce their symptoms by using a humidifier and using an allergen mask. Allergic rhinitis can be very difficult to deal with, but it is possible to prevent allergic reactions by wearing a mask if you constantly inhale allergens. It can also help to use an air purifier to eliminate airborne allergens.
Allergies are something we have to live with. If your symptoms become severe, you may have to take a few simple steps in order to control your allergies.