As I write, my eyes are burning, my ears itch where the q-tip can't reach, my nose is red and drippy and itches like I've got a crack habit, my throat itches all the way down my esophagus, my skin is dry and (you guessed it) itchy, and I'm having a hard time breathing. Also, I think I've been taking double doses of zyrtec without realizing it because I can't think through the fog of itchy, scratchy, cough and sniffiness. Welcome to the world of allergies.
Allergies are your immune system's reaction to substances your body perceives as harmful, called allergens. When your body senses an allergen, it produces antibodies that release chemicals into the bloodstream (histamine is the most prevelant of these chemicals), which cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction, usually focused in the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. The thing about getting rid of allergies, though, is that you can't get rid of allergies, you can only get rid of allergic symptoms -- because once your body establishes an allergic reaction it will react in the same way each time it encounters that allergen. Because I know the misery of allergies, I'll do my best to help you get rid of your allergic symptoms (below and right), identify your allergens and reactions (left) and understand the serious implications of anaphylactic reactions and treatment.
Allergy Treatment and Remedies
Identifying your allergens is the first step to getting rid of allergies. Once you've recognized your symptoms, you need to identify the cause of your allergies. Your allergens may be obvious (sneezing around pollen-filled trees), or you may need to evalute your environment and allergy history. Try to pinpoint when your allergies started, or when your allergies are strongest. Use a process of elimination, removing possible allergens one by one from your environment and monitoring your response. Keep a food diary to track possible food allergies. If you can't satisfactorily identify your allergens, talk to a doctor about allergy testing, which usually involves skin prick and scratch tests to identify your allergens and get rid of your allergies.
Once you've identified your allergens, modify your environment to get rid of your allergies. Once you identify your allergens, the simplest way to get rid of your allergies is to remove the allergens from your environment. If you're allergic to certain foods cut them out of your diet (be aware of the ingredients of restaurant meals and packaged foods). If you're allergic to animal dander, don't let your sister's eight cats wave their tails in your face. Clean your house regularly. Use an allergy-free laundry detergent. Of course, it's not always possible to remove all allergens from your environment (like those pollinating trees, or your new kitten); in those cases, your best bet for getting rid of your allergies are pharmacological, like the suggestions below.
Antihistamines are one of the most common ways of getting rid of allergies. Antihistamines are drugs that counteract the effects of the histamines (the chemical released by the body to fight allergens). Antihistamines generally relieve the sneezing and itching associated with allergies, but can have a lesser effect on other symptoms. There are different families of antihistamines, called first generation and second generation; first generation often has heavier side effects (especially drowsiness) that second. The most common forms of antihistamines are steroid-free nasal sprays and oral anithistamines containing an added decongestant and/or pain reliever. Common OTC anthihistamines are Claritin and Benadryl. Common prescription anithistamines are Zyrtec and Allegra. Talk to a doctor about possible side effects and complication with other medicinies you may be taking before choosing the right antihistamine to get rid of your allergies.
Allergen immunotherapy is another medical option for getting rid of allergies. Allergen immunotherapy involves injections of allergen "vaccines", with the goal of reaching a maintenance dose that consistently reduces your allergies by moderating your immune system's reactions to your allergen(s). Allergen immunotherapy does carry the risk of inducing anaphylaxis, but modern standardized vaccines allow for more consistency and less risk of adverse side effects. In the United States, allergen immunotherapy has been developed for allergens including cat dander, the two predominant mite species, short ragweed and Bermuda, red top, June, rye, orchard, timothy and sweet vernal grasses. Allergen immunotherapy should be considered for patients in whom allergen avoidance and antihistamines have not been effective in getting rid of allergies.
Intranasal corticosteroids are another effective way to get rid of allergies. Intranasal corticosteroids have to be prescribed by your doctor and are used specifically to treat allergic rhinitis, or the nasal symptoms of allergies. Intranasal corticosteroids come in drops, nasal sprays, or nasal inhalers and are applied directly to inside of your nose, where they work to block the inflammation and irritation of your nasal membranes. Intranasal corticosteroids do carry the risk of side effects, and because they relieve nasal symptoms only, are usually prescribed for patients who haven't found sufficent relief through other allergy treatments.Further Treatment for Allergies
There are other, less common "novel" treatments for allergies that are still being developed and are usually given to patients not responding to more traditional allergy treatments. Some of these include cytokine therapy, which works to directly inhibit allergic inflammation caused by cell-generated cytokins, antifungal agents to combat allergic response to fungi in nasal mucous, sublingual-swallow immunotherapy, tryptase inhibitors, and other cell-based therapies.
If you think traditional methods are not getting rid of your allergies, talk to your doctor about other allergy treatments.
