Are you looking for an allergy treatment that will help you return to your daily life in Las Vegas? For those suffering from seasonal allergies or those whose symptoms are not too severe, medical therapy is the best type of allergy treatment.
The Six Categories of Allergy Treatments
There are six major categories of medical allergy treatments including: antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, decongestant nasal sprays, allergy eye drops and mast cell inhibitors.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines work by reducing or blocking histamines, chemicals produced by the immune system that are responsible for many common allergy symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. Popular antihistamines include: Allegra, Benadryl, Claritin, Chlor-Trimeton, Tavist, Zyrtec, Clarinex and Xyzal.
Decongestants
Decongestants work by shrinking the swollen blood vessels and tissues that line the nose. This type of medication may increase anxiety or cause sleeping difficulty. If you have a medical condition such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disorder, diabetes or enlarged prostate, consult with a doctor before using. Common decongestants include: Afrin, Dristan, Sudafed and Suphedrin.
If you can’t decide between antihistamines and decongestants you’re in luck, many antihistamines also contain a decongestant. Common brands are: Allegra-D, Claritin-D and Tavist-D.
Nasal Corticosteroids
Nasal corticosteroids are nasal sprays that help to reduce inflammation of the nasal lining associated with allergies. They can be extremely effective at relieving symptoms, but may cause nosebleeds, nasal dryness and sore throat. Nasal corticosteroids are generally safe to use long-term. Common nasal corticosteroids include: Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort and Rhinocort.
Decongestant Nasal Sprays
Decongestant nasal sprays provide short-term relief from nasal allergy symptoms but wear off quickly. Overuse can lead to a “rebound effect” in which symptoms worsen. Your Las Vegas allergist advises not to use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than three days. Popular brands include: Afrin, Dristan and Vicks Sinex.
Allergy Eye Drops
Allergy eye drops help relieve the symptoms of eye allergies. If you are experiencing itchy or watery eyes, a burning sensation in the eyes, redness and swelling, you can benefit from either over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. They are available in several different types including antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, decongestants and mast cell stabilizers. Some of the more common brands include: Clear Eyes, Visine, Refresh, Claritin Eye, Alamast and Opcon-A.
Mast Cell Inhibitors
The final category is mast cell inhibitors. This type of medication prevents allergy symptoms such as runny nose or itchy, watery eyes from occurring. They work by inhibiting the release of histamines the immune system produces in response to allergens such as pollen. They are available in the form of nasal sprays and eye drops, and must be taken a week or two before the start of allergy season, and continued on a daily basis for the duration of the season.
While this may seem overwhelming, this is why your Las Vegas allergist is here. They will work with you to develop a customized allergy treatment plan. Contact your Las Vegas allergist to get started.
Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.