Allergy treatment begins with avoidance – completely avoiding the allergen known to trigger an allergic reaction. Since avoidance is not always possible, a number of other strategies may be necessary to treat allergic conditions.

The majority of allergy treatments are designed to ease symptoms of an allergic reaction that has already occurred. Allergy medications can be administered to an individual through a number of methods, including pills, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, nebulizers and topical creams.

The following types of medication are used to treat allergy symptoms:

• Antihistamines. Relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy and watery eyes. They work by interfering with the histamines released into the bloodstream when a person encounters an allergen. Histamines are directly responsible for causing many kinds of allergy symptoms, and blocking them reduces the severity of an allergic reaction. While antihistamines can be taken to treat symptoms that are already present, the drugs are most effective when taken prior to coming into contact with an allergen.
  
  

  

• Decongestants. Reduce nasal congestion, chest congestion, swelling and redness. Decongestants are effective at constricting swollen nasal tissue, which prevents fluid and mucus from forming.
  
  
• Corticosteroids and NSAIDs. Reduce the inflammation associated with symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, sneezing and runny nose. Corticosteroids work by inhibiting allergic reactions and reducing nasal swelling and mucus secretions. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are medications used to reduce pain and inflammation associated with allergy symptoms without the use of corticosteroids.
  
  
• Bronchodilators. Open breathing passages by relaxing tightened muscles. These drugs are also effective at loosening mucus in the lungs, which can then be more easily coughed out. Bronchodilators are often used to quickly treat symptoms of wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.
  
  
• Other medications. Other types of medications include mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene modifiers, anti-IgE antibodies, anticholinergics, vitamin C and nasal saline solutions.

There is currently only one treatment designed to help a person with a known allergy to overcome their sensitivity to a certain allergen – immunotherapy (or allergy shots). Patients undergo a series of shots over a period of weeks, months or years with each shot containing more of the allergen to which the person is sensitive. Through this exposure, the patient’s tolerance to the allergen increases and the body no longer reacts to that allergen in the same way. However, not everyone responds to this treatment and it is not effective at treating some types of allergies (e.g., food allergies).

Several types of allergy treatment are commonly used, though they have not been tested through strict scientific criteria, including homeopathy, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. These alternate allergy treatments are often not accepted or used by licensed physicians or other licensed healthcare providers. People should discuss any alternative treatments with their physician before trying them.