Let's Talk Allergies

How to Treat Your Allergy Symptoms Part 2

Today we will continue our conversation about different ways to treat your allergy symptoms that do not include environmental controls.

Treat Your Allergy Symptoms with Mast Cell Stabilizers

Cromolyn sodium for allergic rhinitis is a nasal spray or inhaled medication that for some people helps to prevent allergic reactions from ever starting. When administered as a nasal spray, as a metered dose inhaler or through the use of a nebulizer, it can safely inhibit the release of chemicals like histamine from the mast cell. It has few side effects when used as directed, and can significantly help some patients with allergies. It is not used as a rescue inhaled medication. It must be taken for anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to become effective.

Treat Your Allergy Symptoms with Decongestants

Sometimes just getting your nasal passages to drain will help to relieve symptoms such as congestion, swelling, excess secretions, and discomfort in the sinus areas that can be caused by nasal allergies. Sinus areas are hollow air spaces located within the bones of the skull surrounding the nose.

Your doctor may recommend using oral or nasal decongestants to reduce congestion along with an antihistamine to control allergic symptoms. Over-the-counter and prescription decongestant nose drops and sprays, however, should not be used for more than a few days.

When used for longer periods, these drugs can produce a “rebound effect” which leads to even more congestion and swelling of the nasal passages and a terrible addiction to the decongestant.

Treat Your Allergies with Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage is an ancient therapy that is experiencing renewed interest. Through the use of a neti pot, squeeze bottle, or electric pulsating device like the Sinupulse Nasal irrigation system, water is rinsed through the nasal passages and sinuses. This flow of water works to remove allergens, excess mucous., bacteria, and dried mucous. A sterile saline solution is always recommended.

In addition to the cleansing effect, the saline solution will provide a moisturizing effect to the membranes lining the nasal passages through the magic of osmosis.

Another added benefit is that mucous is thinned, making it much easier to expel. Care must be taken that the water and salt solution must be sterile and the device must be thoroughly cleaned after each use to avoid the risk of serious bacterial infection.

Up next – How to Treat Your Allergies with Immunotherapy

Till next time
Cheryl

The Allergy Store

How to Treat Your Allergy Symptoms Part 1

For those of us that have allergies, there are several options we have to help us deal with them. Today we are going to talk about how to treat your allergy symptoms with conventional treatments.

When we cannot adequately avoid airborne allergens, our symptoms often can be controlled with medication. Effective medications that can be prescribed by a doctor include antihistamines and topical nasal steroids either of which can be used alone or in combination.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines and decongestants are effective and available at your local Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens. Be prepared to show your ID.

How to Treat Your Allergy Symptoms with Antihistamines

As the name indicates, an antihistamine counters the effects of histamine, which is released by the mast cells in the body’s tissues and contributes to allergy symptoms. For many years, antihistamines have proven useful in relieving sneezing and itching in the nose, throat, and eyes, and in reducing nasal swelling and drainage. Antihistamines will not help with congestion. To relieve congestion, a decongestant is needed.

Many people who take antihistamine experience some distressing side effects: drowsiness and loss of alertness and coordination. In children, such reactions can be misinterpreted as behavior problems.

During the last few years, however, antihistamines that cause fewer of these side effects have become available by prescription and over the counter. These non-sedating antihistamines are as effective as other antihistamines in preventing histamine-induced symptoms but do so without causing sleepiness.

Some of these non-sedating antihistamines, however, can have serious side effects, particularly if they are taken with certain other drugs.

It is not recommended that people with glaucoma or high blood pressure take certain antihistamines. Always let your doctor know what other medications you are taking.

How to Treat Your Allergy Symptoms with Topical Nasal Sprays

A topical nasal corticosteroid may be prescribed, especially for seasonal allergies. This medication should not be confused with anabolic steroids, which are sometimes used by athletes to enlarge muscle mass and can have serious side effects.

Topical nasal corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that stop allergic reactions. In addition to other beneficial actions, they reduce the number of mast cells in the nose and reduce mucus secretion and nasal swelling.

The combination of antihistamines and nasal steroids is a very effective way to treat allergy symptoms, especially in people with moderate or severe allergic rhinitis. Although topical nasal steroids can have side effects, they are safe when used at recommended doses. Some of the newer agents are even safer than older ones.

Up Next – Treatment Options Part 2

Till next time

Cheryl
Allergy Store – Helping customers since 1989
800 771-2246

Know the Enemy – MCS

Synthetic chemicals are all around us. They’re in the products we use, in the clothes we wear, in the food we eat, in the air we breathe, and in the water we drink. Look under your kitchen sink. How many different cleaning products are there? The prevalence of chemicals in our life is a factor in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

Because chemicals are everywhere in the environment, it’s not possible to escape exposure. No wonder, then, many people have become sensitized to the chemicals around them. For most people, this doesn’t pose a serious problem. At least not yet. Other people are much more seriously affected. They may have what appears to be a minor allergy to one or more chemicals. They may refer to this as MCS.

Chemical sensitivity is not an allergic reaction because IgE is not present. Upon exposure to chemicals, some people may feel tired and suffer from mental confusion, breathing problems, sore muscles, and a weakened immune system. Such people suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

MCS is still quite controversial. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology consider any relationship between the patient’s symptoms and environmental exposures to chemicals speculative and point out that clear evidence of disease is lacking in many of these cases.

Up Next – What Is MCS?

Till next time

Cheryl
Allergy Store – Helping customers since 1989
800 771-2246