Allergy Relief Medicine

There are many different types of medicine and treatment used to give you allergy relief. However - there are times when regular allergy relief medicines like antihistamines and decongestants are not enough to control allergic reactions. What you need then is additional treatment.

Allergy Shots: What are they?

Also known as immunotheraphy - allergy shots are a form of allergy relief medicine that works by changing the way your immune system recognizes an allergen. It’s a preventive treatment so the next time you are exposed to allergen substances - such as grass pollens - house dust mites - and wasp and bee venom - you’ll have a better chance at controlling your allergic reaction.

The allergy relief medicine that is immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance - or allergen - to which the person is allergic. This allows your immune system to gradually get used to the substance. Although this allergic relief medicine can be very effective - it is far from a quick fix. It takes time - usually one to two years - to get your immune system to act normally every time an allergen is introduced into the body.

Before you start on allergy shots - you should first consult your doctor. That’s because not everyone is safe taking allergy shots. If you have severe asthma or heart problems or taking a beta blocker - allergy shots are not recommended.

When you consult a doctor about allergy shots - he will first do an allergy test on you to determine exactly what allergens are causing your allergies. After the specific allergens have been identified - you will start getting shots one to two times a week.

Oral Medication

If you find that you want faster-acting allergy relief medicines - then the best choice you have are oral antihistamines and decongestants. Histamine is the substance released by the body when the immune system produces too much antibodies as a reaction to allergen exposure. It is also the same substance that causes inflammation of the tissues. The allergy relief medicine antihistamines provide relief of symptoms - such as rash - hives - watery eyes - runny nose - itching eyes - and sneezing. Decongestants - on the other hand - relieve congestion - promote sinus draining and improve breathing.

Keep in mind that antihistamines and decongestants can have side effects. Some of the most noted ones are drowsiness - dizziness - headache - loss of appetite - stomach upset - blurred vision - restlessness - irritability and dry mouth and nose. However - these effects should subside as your body adjusts to the allergy relief medicine.

Alternative Allergy Relief Medicines

Besides allergy shots or immunotheraphy - there are also other allergy relief medicines and treatment methods that you can use. Among them are the following:

· Acupressure – a total body treatment given through clothing on pressure points to stimulate the flow of energy and improve circulation throughout the body

· Acupuncture – offers effective treatment for hay fever - one of the symptoms of allergies

· BioSET – a four-step process focusing on specific organ detoxification - bioenergetic testing - enzyme therapy - and allergy elimination techniques

· Chiropractic Care – not a treatment for allergies - however - it does permit the nervous system to function with less stress and the immune system to function more effectively