OTC Allergy Meds Not Working? Try this 3-Step Plan to Find Relief

With the onset of seasonal sniffles, autumnal allergies can send you wandering the aisles of your local drugstore, looking for a quick fix for your stuffy nose and itchy, red eyes. But what can you do when over-the-counter remedies just aren’t cutting it? Take back your body and combat congestion with this three-step plan to understanding and treating your pesky allergies. 

Schedule an appointment with an allergist to identify your triggers. The first step in managing your allergies is to identify your triggers. Schedule an appointment with one of the physicians at Allergy & Asthma Specialists for allergy skin testing. A miniscule dose of different allergens are placed on your skin and monitored for a reaction in the form of a hive. Common allergy triggers are dust mites, animal dander, pollen and molds. With fall on its way, ragweed runs rampant and can contribute to greater problems like sinusitis or asthma attacks. With 17 different species of ragweed affecting about 75 percent of allergy sufferers and rising temperatures creating extended ragweed seasons, there’s no sure way to completely avoid the pollen altogether. So what’s the best course of action?

Start treatment that’s right for you. Once you’ve determined your allergy triggers, you and your physician at Allergy & Asthma Specialists can determine the best treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms. A ragweed allergy, for example, often manifests with seasonal allergic rhinitis—essentially a mild cold that doesn’t clear up after 10 to 12 days. A treatment plan typically involves environmental fixes—e.g. staying indoors when the pollen count is high—and medications like nasal sprays, antihistamines and/or decongestants. Adhering to your plan will hopefully provide you with relief.

Consider immunotherapy. If your allergies continue to interfere with your life, your allergist may recommend immunotherapy, which could deliver near complete relief from your symptoms. Immunotherapy treats the underlying cause of the allergic reaction by gradually increasing the dose of allergens administered to the patient. This therapy helps beef up your immune system to build up natural tolerance to allergens without medications. While traditional immunotherapy involves routine shots, today, needle-free options are available, including sublingual (under the tongue) drops and tablets.

To schedule an appointment at a location near you, call 1-800-86COUGH or visit their website today.