Allergy Medications: What Are My Options?
By Jason GrayJan 15, 20211219
Allergy is nothing but just an exaggerated reaction to the foreign substances around us. Not everyone suffers from allergies; other people's immune systems react normally to foreign substances. While in allergic individuals, intense allergic reactions can occur. The triggers of allergy or allergens are of different types; they include pollens, dust mites, molds, animal proteins, foods, and medications. People who deal with allergies are called allergic or atopic.
Causes of Allergies
Several kinds of research and studies suggest that allergy is a reaction to a non-harmful substance. The body detects a specific protein on the allergen and reacts to destroy it. Allergies are associated with genetics, which means if someone in your family is allergic; it may have passed to you. However, specific allergies do not pass to the next generations. Only general susceptibility is true. For example, if your father is allergic to peanuts, then you are less likely to suffer from a peanut allergy.
Below mentioned are common types of allergens:
- Animal allergen: pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches.
- Drugs:Penicillin and sulpha active ingredients are common allergy triggers.
- Foods:Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and eggs are common food allergens. They may differ.
- Insect bites:These include bee stings, wasps, and mosquito bites.
- Mold: airborne mold grains that cause irritation
- Plants:Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, are the common allergy stimulants.
- Other allergens: other allergens include Latex, metal, and nickel are the common allergens.
Common Allergy Symptoms
The allergy symptoms can vary as per the type of allergy and type of allergen. The common allergy symptoms are the same. However, it is essential to know what allergies can cause which type of symptoms. Below mentioned are the common symptoms, which are observed during specific allergies.
Food allergies can cause symptoms such as swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue, etc. To recognize a food allergy; will take a while. In case you experience an adverse symptom or reaction after a specific meal, you need to see your health professional immediately. They can find the exact cause after examining your symptoms, or they may refer you to a specialist.
- Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Many people confuse the hay fever symptoms with a common cold. The common symptoms of seasonal allergy are congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes. Most of the time, you can manage or treat these symptoms by using some over-the-counter medicines. See your health professional if your symptoms get healed.
Severe allergies are called anaphylaxis. In such a case, a person suffers from fatal symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, light-headedness, and loss of consciousness. If you ever experience one of these symptoms after exposure to the possible allergen, seek medical help immediately without wasting time. Do not avoid such symptoms as they can become dangerous for your wellness.
Different Medicines to Treat Allergic Reactions
Various types of medicines are used to control allergic reactions. The allergic medications are advised according to the allergic reaction and its symptoms. Below mentioned are the common medicines that are commonly used to treat allergic symptoms.
Antihistamines are the medicines that are commonly used to control the production of histamine. Histamine is a signalling molecule, which activates various immune cells. The histamine activity helps to build an intense immune response. Therefore, the antihistamine drug works efficiently on the cellular level to control allergic symptoms. So let us know in detail about anti-histamine medications.
Oral antihistamine medicines are easily available in the market. These medicines are available over the counter. However, some antihistamines are available over a prescription. Antihistamines help to relieve common symptoms of allergy such as itchy or watery eyes, hives, swelling, and other signs or symptoms of allergies. Taking antihistamines can make you feel sleepy or tired. Therefore, you need to take the antihistamine drugs after consulting your health professional. Take it when you can rest; avoid taking antihistamines when you want to stay alert.
Antihistamines that cause drowsiness are diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine. Antihistamine that causes less sleepiness are cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), desloratadine (Clarinex), levocetirizine (Xyzal), loratadine (Claritin).
- Antihistamines Nasal Sprays
Antihistamine nasal spray is the type of drug that helps relieve nasal symptoms such as sneezing, itchy or runny nose, congestion of the sinus, and nasal dripping. The nasal spray tends to work faster than the usual anti-histamine pills. The side effects of antihistamine nasal sprays are as follows, such as bitter taste, drowsiness, or feeling exhausted. Some of the prescription based anti-histamine drugs are azelastine, olopatadine (Patanase), pheniramine and naphazoline.
Corticosteroids are also widely used to control allergies quickly by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. It quickly works to decrease the inflammation caused by the allergen.
Corticosteroid Inhalers
Corticosteroid inhalers are used to control specific allergic symptoms associated with inflammation, such as asthma. It is caused by reactions to airborne allergy triggers (allergens). The corticosteroid inhaler may cause side effects such as mouth irritation, throat irritation, and oral yeast infections.
For allergies that cause inflammation in the airway (asthma), bronchodilators are prescribed. Prescription-based corticosteroid inhalers include ciclesonide, beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone, and mometasone.
A leukotriene inhibitor is a prescription-based medicine. It helps to control specific cellular chemicals to control the activation of immune cells. The signalling molecules are called leukotrienes. Leukotriene inhibitors efficiently act for controlling signs and symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. There just one type of medicine called montelukast (Singulair), which helps to treat hay fever. In a rare case, leukotriene inhibitors may cause psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, strange dreams, trouble sleeping, and suicidal thinking or behaviour. Although such symptoms are rare, so do not worry.
These are different kinds of options you have if you are dealing with allergic symptoms. Remember to take the right help; if you experience any allergic symptoms, do not avoid any symptoms of allergy. It may worsen and can turn into a fatal condition. Your physician may advise a suitable one of these medicines as per the severity of your condition.
You must know that allergies are untreatable. The only way to control allergy is by reducing the symptoms by taking above mentioned medicines. Other than medicines, you can avoid your exposure to the allergens that affect your health. For instance, if you have a food allergy, try to avoid that specific food item in your meal. If you have a pollen allergy, make sure to keep your space clean, avoid dust, you can use HEPA filters at your workspace or your home. Managing allergic symptoms is easy; once you detect what you are allergic to.