Your immune system’s job is to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But for people with allergies, it can sometimes mistake harmless substances for dangerous intruders. When this happens, the immune system tells the cells to release histamine, a chemical that causes inflammation, swelling and itching. This is known as an allergic reaction.
Below we review the signs of an allergic reaction as well as the different options you have to treat an allergic reaction.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction
The most common signs of an allergic reaction include:
- Itchy, red, watery or puffy eyes.
- Nasal and sinus congestion.
- Runny nose.
- Sneezing.
- Postnasal drip.
- Rash.
- Hives.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing anaphylaxis, and it’s important to seek immediate medical attention:
- Tingling in the hands, feet and lips.
- Swollen tongue, throat, mouth and face.
- Trouble breathing.
- Rapid pulse.
- Low blood pressure.
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
- Sense of anxiety or dread.
Managing Your Allergies
The best way to manage your allergies is to practice avoidance of known allergens. However, this isn’t always possible or practical. If you’ve come into contact with an allergen, you should shower and change clothes right away. You can also use a saline solution to flush allergens out of the sinuses and clear the airways.
Other options for managing allergies include taking medications and immunotherapy.
Medications
Allergy medications can be found over the counter at Atlanta City Compounding Pharmacy. There are two main types of medications that can help relieve allergies: antihistamines and decongestants.
Antihistamines can be found in oral pill, dissolvable tablet, nasal spray or eye drop form. They can be taken to ease a current allergic reaction or to prevent allergic reactions from occurring in the first place.
Decongestants can be found in pill or spray form. It’s important to note that decongestants are for immediate relief only; they should not be taken continuously for more than 72 hours.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a long-term solution for managing allergies. It works by introducing small amounts of allergen extracts into the body so that the immune system can build up a tolerance. Immunotherapy is available in both shot and drop form. Talk to your allergist today to see if you’re a good candidate for immunotherapy. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call ENT of Georgia today.
