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By Patricia Nov 03, 2022
If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from allergies, you know how debilitating they can be. Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and fatigue are just a few of the symptoms that can make everyday activities seem impossible. The good news is that there are a variety of effective allergy treatments available. In today’s blog, Detroit Sinus Center wants to talk about some of the ways to combat allergies and what treatments can prove effective against them.
One of the most common allergy treatments is over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Antihistamines are often the first line of defense against allergies. These drugs work by blocking histamine, a chemical that your body releases during an allergic reaction. Histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms associated with allergies, such as itchiness, congestion, and runny nose.
If you’re not sure what you’re allergic to, getting an allergy test can be a helpful step in finding the right treatment. Allergy tests can be done by an allergist and involve skin prick testing or blood testing. Skin prick testing is generally the most accurate method. During this test, small amounts of various allergens are applied to the skin. If you’re allergic to any of the substances, you’ll usually develop a raised, itchy bump within 15 minutes. Blood tests are less commonly used but can be helpful if skin prick testing isn’t possible or if you have a severe allergy that makes skin testing risky.
If OTC medications don’t work well for your allergies, you may need something more powerful. There are a number of prescription allergy medications available, including both oral and nasal sprays. These drugs are generally more effective than OTC options and have fewer side effects. Prescription medications can be used on their own or in combination with other treatments, such as immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is another treatment option for people with moderate to severe allergies. This treatment involves injecting small amounts of an allergen under the skin. The goal of immunotherapy is to help your body build up a tolerance to the allergen. Over time, the doses are increased until you’re able to tolerate larger amounts of the substance. Immunotherapy is generally considered a long-term treatment and may take several years before it’s fully effective.
At Detroit Sinus Center, we understand how debilitation allergies can be and, in some cases, they can even be fatal. If you deal with allergies often or realize that your body reacts to certain foods or allergens, it’s important that you get help from an expert. Reach out to our team today to learn about our treatments and services and how we can help you!