1. Take an Allergy Test
Choosing an allergy medication can be daunting, especially when you don't even know the root cause of your sniffles. That's where the allergy test comes in. The three common types are skin tests, elimination tests and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Skin tests involve placing the substance in question near a scratch on the skin and watching for irritation. They are mainly used for diagnosing respiratory allergies, as well as allergies to insect bites and penicillin. Elimination diets test for food allergies by having a person remove a part of his diet and then gradually reintroduce it. Finally the RAST checks for antibodies to potential allergens in the blood.
2. Know Your Allergy
Once you have tested for allergies you will know the category into which it falls. There are many kinds, including skin, latex, food, eye, mold, yeast, insects, gluten and dust mites, to name a few. Treatments vary depending on your allergy. The can be administered topically, nasally, in the form of eye drops, through inhalers and ingested as pills. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best medication for you.
3. Watch for Black Box Warnings
The strongest warning the Food and Drug Administration gives to medications is the Black Box warning. A medicine only receives the honor if it causes side effects which are severe. The warning gets its name from a black border around it. Companies may be required to place the warning on the outside or in a leaflet inside the medicine package. The FDA allows the medications to remain on the market because the benefits outweigh the side effects. In 2007 the drug Avandia was slapped with a Black Box warning because it increased the risks of heart failure in patients prone to heart disease.
4. Antihistamines Are Classic
Antihistamines are a standard way to treat coughing, sniffling and wheezing associated with allergies. Now there are many types. First generation medicines like Benadryl are available over-the-counter but can cause drowsiness. Somewhat better are the second generation meds like Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin which have fewer side effects. Some are available by prescription only. Then there are the leukotriene modifiers, like Singulair and Accolate, which treat people who suffer from both allergies and asthma. They are also available by prescription.
5. Analyzing the Data
Even when you narrow down the allergy medication you need based on type of allergy, side-effects, and availability, there are still a number of choices. The next logical step is to look at the data on the drugs, but that is risky since many companies put out statistics on their own medications. If you want to study the research, make sure you know take into account who the source is. In the end it's best to try a few different medications and talk to your doctor to see what works best for you.
