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Because inflammation is a key factor in allergies and allergy symptoms, inhaled nasal steroids are the most effective medications to give allergy relief. These prescription allergy relief medications help to prevent or reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses when exposed to allergens (pollen, animal dander, or dust mites). Inhaled nasal steroids do not give immediate allergy relief from allergy symptoms. You will probably notice allergy relief -- decreased swelling and mucus production -- within one to two weeks of starting a nasal steroid spray. Inhaled nasal steroids must be used every day for continued benefit.

 

Allergy shots or immunotherapy are injections of tiny doses of allergens that produce allergy relief in up to 90% of patients with seasonal allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). These injections are effective for reducing allergy symptoms associated with cat dander, pollens, house dust mites, certain molds, and fire ant bites. Your doctor will give shots of weak allergen solutions once or twice a week initially. Over time, your doctor will give you regular injections of your allergens in increasing strength to stimulate changes in the immune system and reduce the chance of future allergy symptoms. Allergy shots or immunotherapy bring allergy relief by turning off allergic disease at the source. By stimulating changes in the immune system over time, you develop fewer allergic reactions and allergy symptoms.

 

Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines and decongestants can give allergy relief by easing nasal congestion or postnasal drip and reducing swelling so you can breathe. Antihistamines relieve such miserable symptoms as sneezing, itching, congestion, and discharge. Decongestants reduce nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms by constricting the blood vessels and decreasing the amount of fluid that leaks out into the lining of the nose.

In addition, combination allergy medicines are available that contain both antihistamines and decongestants. These medicines can give you overall allergy relief by easing nasal congestion, itchy eyes, postnasal drip, and other allergy symptoms. Be sure to read the product label to understand the side effects of antihistamines and decongestants.

 

For some people with nasal allergy symptoms, eliminating allergy triggers at home or at work will provide added allergy relief. You can go through your home or office and look for common allergy triggers such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cold air (air conditioning vent or ceiling fan), cigarette smoke, perfume or other scented products, and aerosols. Remove or reduce any triggers for your allergy symptoms. For people who have both allergies and asthma, using an air filtration system in the home can reduce their symptoms of asthma.

 

An allergy is an exaggerated or abnormal reaction to something normally considered harmless. The reaction causes allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, skin rash, or itch. An allergen is the substance that causes the allergy or allergic symptoms.

 

Common allergens and irritants that trigger allergy symptoms include pollen (plant, tree, grass), molds and mildew, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, feathers, industrial chemicals, foods (shellfish, eggs, milk, corn, nuts), medications (aspirin, penicillin) and food additives and preservatives.

 

Yes. When allergy symptoms occur because of trees in the spring, grasses in summer, or weeds in the early fall, they are said to be seasonal. Seasonal allergy symptoms are usually triggered by mold spores, grasses, weeds, or pollens from trees and other plants. If you experience year-round allergy symptoms, you could have perennial allergies or allergies to environmental dust, dust mites, animal dander, and mold spores or mildew.

 

Although the causes of allergies are unknown, genetic heritage plays a key role. If only one of your parents has allergies, your risk is 50%, but if both your parents are allergic, your risk increases to 75%. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population has some type of allergy. Also, if you have a large family, your risk of having allergies is related to your birth order. Younger siblings have a lower incidence of allergies than their older brothers and sisters. Experts believe that other factors besides genetics, such as respiratory infections, air pollution, diet, and emotional makeup, also contribute to development of allergies.