How are allergies treated?
“Having allergies doesn’t mean you have to suffer,” Dr. Zemble says. “One of the most helpful things you can do is avoid allergens that make your symptoms flare.” Here are some ways you can do that:
- Stay inside when mold or pollen counts are high.
- Keep your windows closed in your car and home. Use air conditioning instead.
- Regularly wash your bedding in hot water to get rid of dust mites.
- Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting and use throw rugs you can wash instead.
- Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out, which can attract cockroaches.
- Fix household leaks to prevent mold.
“If you can’t completely avoid the allergens you’re sensitive to, there are over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can reduce your symptoms,” Dr. Zemble says. Talk with your doctor or clinician about which medicines might work best for you. Some examples include:
- Antihistamines to block the action of histamine to reduce your symptoms
- Intranasal corticosteroids to reduce nasal allergic inflammation
- Decongestants to reduce stuffiness and pressure due to swelling in your nasal cavity
- Saline nasal sprays to help with nasal dryness
Finally, your doctor or clinician may suggest a treatment called immunotherapy to help treat your allergies. “With immunotherapy, you’re exposed to very small amounts of the substances you’re allergic to either through a shot or in a tablet placed under your tongue,” Dr. Zemble says. “With time, you become less sensitive to the allergens and your symptoms improve.”