Allergy Treatment and Management
There are three basic strategies used to treat and manage allergic conditions: avoidance, medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Reducing or eliminating your contact with allergens (those things that cause your symptoms). The less time you spend exposed to allergens, the better your symptoms will be. Changing your environment to reduce or eliminate contact to allergens is called environmental control.
Used to treat the symptoms of allergy when it is too difficult to avoid the allergen.
Antihistamines are used broadly to treat symptoms of all kinds of allergic conditions. They are available over-the-counter, and by prescription. Some are also available that have a decongestant added to the antihistamine.
Steroids are sometimes used to treat moderate or severe allergic conditions and are only available by prescription. Steroids work by reducing inflammation.
Anti-IgE is a new medication that has shown great success in treating allergic asthma and other moderate to severe allergic conditions. Anti-IgE is only available by prescription.
Leukotriene modifiers are long-term control asthma medications. They reduce swelling inside the airways and relax smooth muscles around the airways.
Used to control symptoms of moderate to severe allergies if avoidance and medications are not working.
See how a few of our doctors answer frequently asked questions about allergy treatments and medications.
National Jewish Health offers allergy shot clinic hours Monday through Friday.
