Allergy Treatment

Treatment for allergies typically begins with a visit to an allergist, where he or she will review your medical history, establish a list of suspected allergens, and may order an allergy skin test. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor can recommend allergy treatment options, which may include medicines or allergy shots. Although many medicines are helpful in reducing allergy symptoms, immunotherapy (a series of allergy shots) may be the only allergy treatment that can reduce symptoms over a longer period of time.

 

Allergy Treatment: An Overview

The first step in handling chronic allergies is a visit to an allergist. The doctor will begin by taking a detailed medical history. From that, he or she can establish a list of suspected allergens. To confirm the diagnosis or to figure out puzzling allergy symptoms, the doctor may order an allergy skin test.
 
Once an allergy diagnosis is confirmed -- along with the cause and severity of the allergy -- the doctor will discuss your treatment options. Allergy treatment options may include:
 

Avoidance -- The First Step in Allergy Treatment

Preventing allergies begins by avoiding the allergen that is causing your symptoms. Depending on the type of allergy you are experiencing, this may be easier said than done. For example, certain food allergies can be prevented by not eating the food. But preventing allergies from pollen or mold may be more challenging, since completely avoiding these substances can be difficult. Total avoidance of allergenic pollen or mold requires moving to a place where the offending substance does not grow and where it is not present in the air. Even this extreme solution may offer only temporary relief because a person who is sensitive to a specific pollen or mold may develop allergies to new allergens after repeated exposure.
 
You can read more about allergy prevention tactics based on the type of allergy by clicking on the eMedTV article Preventing Allergies.
 
(Allergy Treatment Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD