How Do You Treat Severe Allergy Symptoms

What Happens At Your Appointment

A GP may arrange some allergy tests or refer you to a specialist allergy clinic to have them.

Tests you may have include:

• a skin prick or patch test where a small amount of the allergen is put on your skin to see if it reacts
• blood tests to check for allergens that may be causing your symptoms
• a special diet where you avoid or eat less of a food you might be allergic to, to see if your symptoms get better

Tips For Reducing Pollen Exposure

• Stay indoors until after midday, particularly in the pollen season and on windy days.
• Avoid going out during, or after thunderstorms, particularly when pollen counts are high.
• Wear sunglasses, carry tissues, shower when you arrive home, and rinse your eyes with water.
• Do not mow grass and stay inside when it is being mown. If mowing is unavoidable, wear a mask or take a non-drowsy antihistamine.
• Keep windows closed at home and in the car. Use recirculating air conditioning in the car.
• Do not picnic in parks or in the country during the pollen season.
• Try to plan holidays out of the pollen season or holiday at the seaside.
• If landscaping at home, research plants less likely to trigger allergic rhinitis or asthma. If you are sensitive to particular weeds or trees that are outside your bedroom window, have them removed.

How To Treat Severe Allergies

There is no magic cure for surviving allergy season, but here are some tips you can use for alleviating your symptoms:

• Find the right medications and treatments. This may take some experimentation on your part until you find what combinations work best for you, but luckily your local drugstore has no shortage of options. Over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines and decongestants are a great starting point. Drugstores also carry various nasal irrigation products, which literally flush out mucus and debris from your nose and sinuses. Your doctor can also begin a traditional immunotherapy program.

• Get your house in order. While it may be hard to control what irritants you come across outside, you dont have to suffer through the same effects inside your own living quarters as well. Dust mites, cobwebs and mold can all accumulate and do real damage to your allergy symptoms. Pollen likewise sticks to clothes and hair, so changing outfits as soon as you get home and washing your hair before going to bed at night can all significantly reduce your symptoms. Also remember to always keep your windows closed so that no pollen can enter no matter how nice that cool spring breeze may feel!

Should these home treatments and preventative lifestyle methods fall short of your expectations, it may be time to see a professional.

Read Also: How To Prevent Mold Allergies

How Much Do Allergy Shots Cost

The cost of allergy shots varies based on a few factors, including how many things you are allergic to and how frequently you need shots to keep your symptoms under control. Shots begin on a weekly basis and over time, your doctor may reduce your shots to once per month. Typically, the cost is between $2,000 – $4,000 yearly, if you dont have medical insurance.

The good news is that insurance will usually cover some maybe even most of the cost of getting allergy shots. And depending on your plan, you may only need to pay your copay. But check your insurance so you know for sure.

Food Allergies: When Eating Is Out Of The Question

Food allergies are a very serious medical condition and can be deadly, so if you or your child has them, they must be treated and avoided at all costs. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, milk, eggs and soy are the most common types of food allergies. Most people who have food allergies have IgE allergies to specific foods. This is a very serious condition that can lead to a life-threatening reaction if the offending food is eaten.

One in 13 people in the U.S. has a food allergy. The best way to treat food allergies is to avoid the foods that trigger the allergic reaction. If you have a food allergy, you cant just avoid eating the food youre allergic to you must also avoid touching it. You may want to invest in special rubber gloves and washcloths, as well as special sponges and mops for your kitchen. You should also avoid cooking utensils, pots, pans and dishes that have come into contact with the food youre allergic to.

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Dust Mite Allergies: Finding Protection Amidst The Dirt

Dust mites are tiny, microscopic bugs that feed on thedead skin and debris that collects in your bedding, furniture and carpets. Allergic reactions to dust mites are common in people who are allergic to animals particularly cats or who have allergies to mold. The best way to reduce exposure to dust mites is to reduce clutter in your home, wash all your bedding regularly in hot water and vacuum your floors regularly.

You can also use special covers and encasings for your furniture and pillows to contain dust mites and allergens. If you have dust mite allergies, you may also want to consider getting a special air purifier or air filtration system. These devices trap dust mites and other allergens in the air before they can reach your lungs. You can also use air filters to reduce the amount of dust in the air around you.

Hay Fever Management And Treatment

Avoid triggers by making changes to your home and to your behavior.

• Keep windows closed during high pollen periods use air conditioning in your home and car.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to keep pollen out of your eyes.
• Use mite-proof bedding covers to limit exposure to dust mites and a dehumidifier to control mold. .
• Wash your hands after petting any animal, and have a nonallergic person help with pet grooming, preferably in a well-ventilated area or outside.

What people dont realize is most of the over-the-counter medicines are designed for milder allergies. For the people who have more moderate to severe allergy problems, its very rare that over the counter medicines are enough.

Allergist James Sublett, MD

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How To Prevent Pollen Allergies

As with other allergies, the best way to prevent symptoms of a pollen allergy is to avoid the allergen.

Pollen is difficult to avoid, though. Still, you may be able to minimize your exposure to pollen by:

• staying indoors on dry, windy days
• having others take care of gardening or yard work during peak seasons
• wearing a dust mask when pollen counts are high
• closing doors and windows when pollen counts are high

To find out the pollen counts in your area, check an app or the weather section of your local newspaper.

Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis

Your symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of your allergies. Symptoms can include:

• Pressure in the nose and cheeks
• Ear fullness and popping
• Watery, red, or swollen eyes
• Dark circles under your eyes
• Trouble smelling

Allergic rhinitis can last several weeks, longer than a cold or the flu. It does not cause fever. The nasal discharge is thin, watery, and clear. Nasal discharge from a cold or the flu tends to be thicker. Itching is common with hay fever but not with a cold or the flu. Sneezing occurs more with hay fever. You may even have severe sneeze attacks.

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Treatment If Youre Allergic

If you have a severe allergic sting reaction, youâll need epinephrine, which you can inject yourself before you call 911. Usually, this shot will stop a more severe allergic reaction from happening.

Youâll still need emergency medical care, even if the symptoms seem to stop. You may need to stay overnight at the hospital. If youâve ever had allergic reactions to an insect sting, carry epinephrine with you wherever you go.

How Are Allergies Treated

Although avoiding the allergen is an important treatment approach, it usually doesnt completely end the allergic reaction.

Medications such as antihistamines , decongestants , or a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications, are used to treat your allergy symptoms. Nasal sprays such as topical nasal steroids , cromolyn sodium, and topical nasal antihistamines also can be used to treat allergy symptoms.

Asthma medications, which reduce allergy symptoms, include:

• Inhaled bronchodilators.
• Oral anti-leukotrienes .
• Injected medications, such as omalizumab , dupilumab , reslizumab , benralizumab , or Mepolizumab .

Immunotherapy or allergy oral immunotherapy is recommended if your symptoms arent adequately controlled with a combination of avoidance measures and regular medication use. This shot has been shown to be effective in properly selected patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma.

Another treatment option is saline irrigation using a sinus rinse kit. These rinse kits are sold over-the-counter or can be made at home. To make your own rinse, combine one-half teaspoon non-iodinated salt with one-half teaspoon baking soda in eight ounces of distilled or boiled water. This mixture rinses out allergens and decreases the amount of inflammation they cause.

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How Can You Minimize Exposure To Seasonal Allergy Triggers

Even when pollen seems to be blanketing everything in its path, there are steps you can take to prevent allergies from acting up:

• Have your child wash their hands and face as soon as they come in from playing outside so they dont rub pollen in their eyes and nose. Better yet, rinse them off in the shower.
• Check the forecast for pollen levels, and limit outdoor activities when pollen counts are at their highest.
• Dry laundry in the dryer. Since pollen can coat clothing, avoid hanging laundry outside to dry.
• Have your child take their bath at bedtime. This will help with nighttime allergy problems.
• Keep windows in your home and car closed and use air conditioning to filter the air. Make sure the air conditioner is on re-circulating mode.

Symptoms Of An Allergy Cough

An allergy-related cough is typically “dry,” meaning that you won’t cough up any mucus or phlegm. In some people, the cough can become chronic, lasting for several weeks at a time.

Symptoms of allergy cough include:

• A persistent tickle or irritation at the back of the throat

Allergy coughs can sometimes be difficult to differentiate from other conditions like asthma or an upper respiratory tract infection.

With asthma, you are more likely to experience chest tightness, shortness of breath , and wheezing due to the narrowing of the airways of the lungs.

With infections like flu or COVID-19, you are more likely to experience fever, chill, and body or muscle aches. With COVID-19, there may also be a loss of taste or smell as well as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

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Keep Your Home Safe From Allergens

There are many steps you can take around your house to help with seasonal allergies.

Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers at the right times for your allergies

In the spring, summer and early fall, remove excess moisture from the air using a dehumidifier or air conditioner. This can help reduce the growth of mold and mildew spores known to cause some allergies.

In dry winter months, a humidifier can add moisture to a room to soothe dry, irritated nasal passages. Make sure to clean and change the filter regularly. Unfortunately, moisturized air can also cause dust mites to increase.

Change to HEPA filters for your heating and cooling system

A HEPA filter can trap airborne allergens like pollen and pet dander, helping keep more irritants out of the air. Just make sure youre regularly replacing filters particularly during high usage times. A good rule of thumb is to check your filter once a month to see if it needs replacing.

Consider adding an air purifier, too

Air purifiers can also be used to clean finer particles and fumes that your furnace or air conditioning filter cant catch. There are several different types of air purifiers and each works differently to clean the air you breathe. So, research your options to determine which may be the best fit for you needs.

Other ways to reduce allergens in your home:

How Can I Prevent An Allergic Reaction

Allergy shots may help. They’re about 97% effective. Allergy shots for insect stings put tiny amounts of the allergen into your body over time. Your body gets used to the allergen, and if you get stung again, you wonât have such a bad reaction.

Your doctor will first test you to find out what insects youâre allergic to. Then youâll typically get the shots once or twice a week. The dose will go up slightly over time until you reach a maintenance dose, usually in about 3 to 6 months.

For most people, allergy shots are safe. You may have side effects like redness and warmth at the injection site. You could also have a mild or serious allergic reaction to the shot itself. They may be more risky for people who have heart or lung disease or who take certain medications.

Show Sources

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: “Stinging Insect Allergy,” “Stinging Insect Allergy: Tips to Remember,” “Allergy Shots .”

National Library of Medicine DailyMed: “Instructions and dosage for schedule for allergenic extracts hymenoptera venom products.”

The Asthma Center Education and Research Fund: “Bugging Out: An examination of insect-sting anaphylaxis.”

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: “Fire Ant Sting Allergy,” “How Can I Avoid Insect Stings?”

North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: “Beekeeping.”

University of Oklahoma Police Department: “Oklahomaâs Perilous Partners.”

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Complementary And Alternative Medicines

Given the popularity of complementary and alternative medicines in the general population, it is reasonable for physicians to ask patients about their use of CAM in a nonjudgmental manner. Given the limited number of well-designed clinical trials examining the efficacy of CAM in allergic rhinitis, it is difficult for clinicians to evaluate these therapies and provide guidance. Nonetheless, since there will be patients who wish to pursue CAM for the management of allergic rhinitis, it is advisable to provide some information about these therapies including a discussion of the lack of high-quality studies evaluating some of these therapies.

Various CAM have been used for the management of allergic rhinitis, including traditional Chinese medicines, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal therapies . In a number of studies, acupuncture has been shown to provide modest benefits for patients with allergic rhinitis . However, acupuncture is time consuming.

How To Prevent An Allergy Cough

While you can’t always avoid respiratory allergies, you can reduce the frequency of them by taking a few precautionary measures.

Among them:

• Identify and avoid triggers:Start by keeping an allergy diary, taking note of where you were and everything you did up to the time of an allergic reaction. Over time, you may see a pattern emerging and identify which allergens are at the heart of your symptoms.
• Watch the weather: If you have hay fever, watch local weather reports to see when pollen or mold levels are high. Windy days also increase the amount of allergens in the air, increasing your chances of an allergy attack.
• Time your activities: During allergy season, pollen levels tend to be higher in the morning. Plan your outdoor activities during the evening if possible.
• Clean your environment: Allergies to dust and pet dander can be reduced by keeping your environment clean. Replace air filters frequently, and keep pets out of your bedroom. You should also vacuum after your pet has been on rugs or furniture.

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Can Allergic Rhinitis Be Prevented Or Avoided

Allergic rhinitis cannot be prevented. You can help your symptoms by avoiding the things that cause your symptoms.

• Keep windows closed. This is especially important during high-pollen seasons.
• Wash your hands after petting animals.
• Use dust- and mite-proof bedding and mattress covers.
• Wear glasses outside to protect your eyes.
• Shower before bed to wash off allergens from hair and skin.

You can also avoid things that can make your symptoms worse, such as:

Ten Ways To Alleviate Seasonal Allergies Without Medication

By Getwell Urgent Care

When your immune system overreacts to an airborne substance that doesnt bother everyone around you, you have allergies. Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and insect stings are the biggest culprits of seasonal allergies.

Increased pollen counts and higher temperatures across the globe are contributing to longer and more severe allergy seasons. This means many people whove never had an issue before are experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms for the first time. However, because these symptoms are so similar to the common cold, many just assume theyve caught a bug. If this sounds familiar, the best way to tell the difference between allergies and a cold is whether you have a fever. If youve been feeling unwell for 7 days or longer without a fever, you are probably suffering from seasonal allergies.

When you seek medical treatment for allergy symptoms, your doctor will typically prescribe medications or injections to help you feel better. But the good news is that there are a lot of things you can do at home to alleviate seasonal allergies without medication.

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How Do You Treat Seasonal Allergies

In combination with taking steps to limit your childs exposure to allergy triggers, there are many safe, effective allergy medicines that target specific symptoms your child is struggling with the most.

Most allergy medications are now over-the-counter and generally fall into the categories of oral antihistamines, nose sprays and eye drops. Below are some key things to know about each type. Be sure to talk to your pediatrician or nurse practitioner about the best options for your child.

Important note: Read labels carefully for the active ingredient and do not give your child more than one oral antihistamine at a time unless under the direction of a healthcare provider. However, most eye drops and nose sprays can be given together along with an oral antihistamine.