If you suffer from seasonal allergies and asthma, it is important to be aware of your treatment options. Since allergies impact at least 40 million people in the United States every year, it is one of the most common chronic diseases. In addition, asthma affects more than 7 out every 100 people in the U.S., and some unfortunate patients have their asthma symptoms triggered by allergies. Regardless of whether you experience one or both problems, it is crucial to be aware of the newest options available, so that you can access the best treatment.

#1- Get Allergy Tested  

If you have spent years popping over-the-counter medications when your eyes got watery or your sinuses clogged up, you may have been treating your allergies incorrectly. For example, many allergy medications need to build up in your system for a few days for maximum benefit. It is easier to prevent your symptoms than it is to make them go away.

If you wait until your symptoms occur to treat them, you could be suffering unnecessarily. In order to treat your allergies, you must first have allergy testing that will confirm what your allergens are. That information will allow your physician to make an appropriate care plan.  

#2-Form A Medication Plan

Once your doctor knows what triggers your asthma or allergies, appropriate medications can be recommended. Low doses of steroids are often necessary for a few days following an asthma attack to reduce the inflammation that contributes to the attack. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications may also be recommended to treat your allergies.   

It is important to note that some allergy medications that used to be only available by prescription are now over-the-counter. Nasal sprays are very popular for seasonal allergy symptoms. It will be helpful to remember that certain allergies are often best treated by specific medications, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all method.

Breathing treatments and inhalers are common for asthmatics, for both emergency care and to prevent flare-ups. Do not change or quit taking any medication you take now without speaking with your doctor, as doing so could make your symptoms worse.   

#3-Investigate Your Other Options

If taking medications for your allergies on a regular basis is not something you want, allergy shots may be a viable option. Since allergies are simply your immune system attacking something unfamiliar, reducing that attack often prevents or diminishes your symptoms. When your asthma is triggered by your allergies and you reduce your allergies, your asthma will often improve.

Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, introduce a tiny amount of something you are allergic to into your system over weeks or months. Over time, your body is likely to tolerate those substances and you will no longer be allergic to them. It is literally a way to re-train your immune system, thus preventing one or more allergic reactions and preventing asthma attacks that are triggered by the allergic reaction.  

In conclusion, asthma and allergies are a major problem for many people. If your allergy symptoms impact your life on a regular basis or your asthma is worsened by your allergies, you should speak with an asthma and allergy specialist as soon as possible. There are options that can help you feel better and make it easier to breathe.

Talk to a professional such as Diane L. Ozog, MD, SC for more information.