Allergies are a reaction of the immune system to harmless substances. Allergies may take the form of allergic rhinitis, hives, bronchial asthma or even as anaphylaxis, a severe form of allergy that may be fatal. Most mild allergies can be controlled with simple, symptomatic treatments. The most important form of treatment, however, is for individuals to avoid the various foods, pollen, insect bites or other substances to which they may be allergic. Individuals with allergies should consult with their medical practitioner before starting treatment to ensure they are getting the best possible allergy control.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are used to treat a variety of allergic reactions. Histamine is an important chemical released during allergic reactions; antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors. They are effective, for example, in the treatment of skin allergies and hay fever. Newer generation antihistamines offer allergy relief while causing minimal sedation; however, it is worth nothing that even these medications can cause some degree of sedation. The onset of action of antihistamines such as cetirizine and loratidine in allergic rhinitis and hives is usually between one and two hours. While asthma is also an allergic condition, antihistamines are not useful in the treatment of this disorder.
Steroids
Steroids are also highly effective medications for treating allergic reactions. In contrast to antihistamines, however, steroids have a more gradual, but long-lasting, onset of action. Fluticasone, a steroid used as a nasal spray in the treatment of hay fever, takes a minimum of eight hours to be effective. However, the advantage of steroids is that they reduce the overall symptoms of allergy for extended periods of time. Steroids need to be used only one a day and treat both nasal and ocular symptoms. In bronchial asthma, steroids are not used to treat the acute exacerbation of disease but as a daily regimen. These medications decrease the severity and the frequency of asthma attacks.
Cromolyn Sodium
Cromolyn sodium is an alternative medication for allergies. It is used for conditions such as asthma, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. While steroids are stronger and more effective to treat allergies, they may cause long-term complications such as weight gain, decreased immunity and osteoporosis. Doctors may prescribe cromolyn as an alternative to a steroid. Unfortunately, the medication is slow to act; it may take up to four weeks for any symptomatic improvement to occur with this medication.
Leukotriene Antagonists
Leukotriene antagonists are drugs such as montelukast and zafirlukast. These medications block the action of leukotrienes, chemicals which are released as a part of an allergic reaction. As with cromolyn, these medications may be tried as an alternative to steroids for asthma and for seasonal allergies. The medication is taken orally or as an inhaler. According to 2005 a publication in “Asthma and Allergy Proceedings,” montelukast provides relief to most people by the second day of treatment.
References
- “Consumer Reports”; Antihistamine Drugs: Summary of Recommendations; September 2010
- “Allergy and Asthma Proceedings”; Onset of Action for the Relief of Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms with Second Generation Antihistamines; W.A. Greisner III; March-April 2004
- “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”; Treatment of Urticaria and Angioedema: Low Sedating H1 Antihistamines; N.A. Soter; June 1991
- “Journal of Asthma and Allergy”; Fluticasone Furoate Nasal Spray: Profile of an Enhanced-Affinity Corticosteroid in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis; R. Anolik; August 2010
- Medline Plus: Cromolyn Sodium Nasal Solution; 06/30/2011
- “Allergy and Asthma Proceedings”; Onset of Efficacy of Montelukast in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis; S.F. Weinstein, et al.; Jan-Feb 2005
