With Spring fast approaching runny noses, and watery eyes are becoming more common in our daily routine. When you have allergies, you may be sensitive to a variety of common elements, such as pollen, mold, animal dander, or dust. Seasonal allergies are caused by reactions to types of pollen found in trees, grass, flowers, and weeds. When exposed to any of these pollen, you may experience sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, irritated skin, and hives. Allergy medicines aim to prevent or relieve many of these symptoms. However, have you ever read the warning labels on some of these allergy medications?
There are several types of OTC allergy medications you can choose from, depending on the type, timing, and severity of your symptoms, as well as your personal treatment needs and preferences. We are going to focus on Corticosteroids, most commonly in the form of a nasal spray; these medications are intended to reduce symptoms including inflammation and swelling. One of the many issues with a nasal spray is that it can take at least two to four weeks to take their full effect, typically recommending that you take the nasal spray weeks before you even have symptoms or know the severity of your symptoms. Meaning if you are trying to get instant relief of your symptoms this can be unbearable.
The side effects of nasal sprays can be severe, ranging from bloody noses to trouble breathing to nausea/vomiting and even weaken the body’s ability to fight infections. These are serious side effects that make having a runny nose not seem so bad, so what is the alternative?
Here at the ENT Institute, we perform allergy tests for these specific pollens. Your allergy tests results are used to create a mixture of substances to which you are allergic. Sterile extracts are prepared from allergy-producing substances such as pollens, molds, house dust, and animal danders according to the thing(s) to which you are allergic. From those results, we are able to create a specific tailored-to-you program to diminish your allergies altogether.
Immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, is a program that increases immunity to certain allergens that trigger allergy symptoms. While increasing immunity, it decreases your sensitivity to the substances that trigger your allergy symptoms when you are exposed to them.
Allergen immunotherapy involves administering increasing amounts of an allergen to a patient over several months. Immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in preventing the development of new allergies and, in children, preventing the progression of allergic diseases from allergic rhinitis to asthma. Allergen immunotherapy can lead to the long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms after Atlanta allergy treatment is concluded. So, why suffer any longer from OTC medications that won’t cure your allergies? Come visit us and start to eliminate your allergies today!