Allergy Treatment Options

While there is still no cure for allergies (or hay fever), there are ways to diminish allergy symptoms. There are three types of treatments that can be used in combination:

• AVOIDANCE of the allergen,
• MEDICATION (anti-histamines),
• IMMUNOTHERAPY (allergy shots).

Avoidance of airborne allergens all of the time is virtually impossible. Pollen, for example, is present anywhere you go. Moving to another area to avoid allergies will most likely not resolve the problem. However, studies do indicate that allergen avoidance is essential to effective treatment of allergies and asthma. The weather forecast can provide valuable information about conditions that favor alerting your allergies. Being informed can lessen the suffering of hay fever! When considering moving, the destination's weather forecast and climate is something that should not be overlooked.

What you need to do is to know when your allergens will be at its peak and avoid going out during those times. Remember, you can sign up for our Allergy Alert™ e-mail, or visit Pollen.com Allergy Forecast which will inform you about the allergy conditions in your area for the next four days! Allergy Alert™ e-mails will be sent to you on days when conditions in your area reach a trigger point, and you may want to consider using your medication to alleviate your condition. These alerts coupled with the extended weather forecast at Pollen.com make a valuable tool in your protection against hay fever and allergy attacks.

You can also use allergy devices in your home, such as an air cleaner and air conditioner. These will help remove pollen and mold spores from the air. It's important to keep the filters on these devices clean!

Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots) is a series of shots that can expose you to small quantities of allergens to stimulate your immune system. The purpose of those shots is to build up your antibodies, your defense cells. This increase in the number of antibodies will help your body not overreact when exposed again to these same allergens.

These three treatment options can be used individually or in combination. There are many over the counter medications that do not require a prescription, as well as herbal and home remedies. Your primary care doctor or an allergist can help as well. Tests are available to determine which pollen sources are causing your allergies and they can assist in determining if a prescription medication or allergy shots are a good fit for your treatment.