If you recently completed an allergy test, congratulations on taking the first step towards finding relief. After you find out what you’re allergic to, we’ll walk you through a few treatment options. Allergen avoidance, medication and immunotherapy are three standard options.
Allergen Avoidance
Allergen avoidance is the practice of cutting down your exposure to the substance you’re sensitive to. For example, if you’re sensitive to grass pollen, we’ll recommend monitoring pollen levels and limiting time at Mill Point Park when the count is high. If you’re allergic to pet dander, we might recommend choosing breeds that produce very little dander or have easily maintained coats.
Medication
Allergy medication provides short-term relief from your symptoms. Combining medication with allergen avoidance may be the only treatment you require if your symptoms are mildly to moderately severe. A few types of allergy medication you can consider include:
- Antihistamines: Block or reduce histamines—the chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms
- Decongestants: Reduce nasal congestion by shrinking swollen blood vessels in the nose
- Nasal corticosteroids: Nasal sprays that reduce inflammation in the nasal passages
- Decongestant nasal sprays: Provide fast-acting, short-term relief from nasal congestion
- Allergy eye drops: Relieve eye-related allergy symptoms like itching, redness, watering, burning and swelling
- Mast cell inhibitors: Prevent allergy symptoms before they start by stopping the release of histamine (must be taken daily two weeks before and throughout the entire allergy season)
If your allergies are severe, we might recommend combining avoidance, medication and immunotherapy.
Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment approach that desensitizes your immune system to specific allergens. At the start of treatment, during the buildup phase, you’ll receive increasing doses of an allergen either orally or subcutaneously (as shots) for about six months. Once you reach the maximum dose, you’ll start the maintenance phase. During the maintenance phase, you’ll receive the same dose for three to five years.[1]
Allergy treatment often takes a multi-faceted approach. We can help you determine the best approach for your symptoms and lifestyle. Contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy to schedule a treatment consultation with one of our specialists.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2024). Allergy shots. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/allergy-shots/about/pac-20392876