Definition Of Allergy Medications
Allergy medications are needed to treat various allergy symptoms. Allergy medications take various forms, ranging from pills, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, skin creams, syrups, to injections.
Allergies are conditions that cannot be cured. Allergy medications available are intended to relieve or control allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, puffy eyes, or itchy skin and rash.
Kinds of Allergy Drugs
Some types of allergy medications that can be obtained with or without a doctor’s prescription include:
1. Antihistamines
Antihistamines are the main drug to treat allergies. This drug works by blocking histamine, which is a chemical that causes an allergic reaction. This substance is released by the immune system when exposed to allergy triggers (allergens).
Antihistamines may be used when allergy symptoms appear or to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring. This allergy medication is available in the form of tablets, capsules, creams, syrups, eye drops, or nasal sprays.
The use of antihistamines also depends on the location of the symptoms, for example:
1. Pills for itchy skin and swelling in the mouth, eyes, or other body parts
2. Nasal spray to relieve itchy, runny or stuffy nose
3. Eye drops to relieve itchy, red, and swollen eyes
As an allergy medication, antihistamines have side effects, such as drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, and headaches.
2. Dekongestan
Decongestants can be used as a short-term allergy treatment, aka they should not be used for more than a week. If more than that time, this allergy medicine can actually worsen allergy symptoms.
To treat allergies, decongestants are available in various forms, namely:
1. Nasal spray, to prevent and relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose
Inhaler, to relieve asthma
2. Eye drops, to relieve itchy, red or watery eyes
3. Pill or syrup taken by mouth, to treat severe symptoms caused by any type of allergic reaction
4. Skin cream, to relieve allergic skin reactions such as itching, redness, or scaling
Decongestants can also cause some side effects, such as headache, feeling unwell, drowsiness, dry mouth, irritability, and irritation of the nose, mouth, throat, or skin.
Not only that, this allergy medicine is also not recommended for use by people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, or hyperthyroidism.
3. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation. Allergy medications are available in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, creams, inhalers, or tablets, depending on the location of the allergy symptoms.
In order for corticosteroids to work optimally, this allergy medication must be used every day, even if allergy symptoms do not appear. Just like other allergy medications, corticosteroids also have side effects, namely weight gain, fluid buildup in the body, and increased blood pressure.
4. Mast cell stabilizer
Mast cell stabilizers are used to treat mild to moderate inflammation. This allergy medication works by preventing the release of histamine from mast cells, which are cells that produce and store histamine.
Mast cell stabilizers are usually only used if antihistamines do not relieve allergy symptoms well. This allergy medication is available in the form of eye drops and nasal sprays.
Throat irritation, cough, skin rash, blurred vision, or sore eyes, are some of the side effects of this allergy medicine.
5. Leukotriene inhibitor
Leukotriene inhibitors work by blocking the effects of leukotrienes, which are chemicals produced in the body in response to an allergic reaction. This allergy medicine must be used as prescribed by a doctor.
Leukotriene inhibitors are available in pill or chewable tablet form and are used to relieve nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing.
In some people, leukotriene inhibitors can cause headaches, skin rashes, coughs, nasal congestion, fever, heartburn, or stomach upset.
6. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy can be an option for people with severe allergies or if allergy symptoms cannot be relieved with the various allergy medication options above. Immunotherapy is done by injecting small doses of allergen or putting allergen tablets under the tongue for years.
This procedure is done so that the body gets used to the allergen so it doesn’t react too badly. Immunotherapy injections can only be given by a doctor, while tablet immunotherapy can usually be taken alone at home.
7. Epinephrine
Some people can have a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening ( anaphylactic shock ). To anticipate this emergency, available epinephrine, which is a special injection containing the drug adrenaline.
After this allergy medicine is injected in the thigh, it is advisable to seek medical help for further treatment.
Allergy drugs can indeed relieve allergic reactions well. However, the best way to control allergic reactions or symptoms is to avoid the triggers.
If you have an allergy to a certain substance, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor. Your doctor can recommend appropriate prevention and treatment measures, according to your condition.