Treatment

There are several different forms of treatment for allergies. Symptomatic treatments such as anti-histamines or steroids can reduce symptoms but the underlying cause of the disease will not be affected.

Specific allergy vaccination is also called specific immunotherapy, hyposensitisation or allergy shots. Follow the menu on the left to find out more about immunotherapy.

Anti-histamines are indicated to relieve the itching, sneezing and runny nose caused by allergic rhinitis and hay fever, acute and chronic urticarias (hives), acute mild allergic reactions and intravenously with adrenaline in life-threatening anaphylaxis. The most troublesome side effect is drowsiness, although most newer anti-histamines are non-sedating. Anti-histamines are available as tablets, nose and eye drops or sprays. Such treatments are only effective as long as you continue to use them. If a treatment is missed, then symptoms will quickly recur.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as sodium chromoglycate) inhibit degranulation of the mast cell and prevent the release of histamine and other mediators of the allergic response. They must be taken regularly and are available as inhalers, nose sprays and eye drops.

Steroid sprays are being used more frequently and sometimes are more effective than anti-histamines, partly because histamine is not the only inflammatory substance released in allergic reactions. Once again, they must be taken regularly. Steroids are used in inhalers and nose sprays but should not be used in the eyes as an allergy treatment.