Some allergens cause your body to release more inflammatory chemicals that cause hives, shock, decreased blood pressure, and even loss of consciousness. An allergic reaction this severe is called anaphylaxis. People who experience anaphylaxis usually react to the allergen within minutes. You may have a friend or family member who must carry a medical shot around with them in case they are exposed to a particular allergen. Luckily, anaphylaxis reactions do not occur that often and modern medicine has been proven to treat symptoms immediately.

Helpful Resources: Zyrtec This is the official web site for Zyrtec, one of the leading allergy medications. Zyrtec provides relief from many people who suffer from indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. If you would like more information about Zyrtec, this is a great web site to view. Allergy Medication This web site provides great information about different allergy medications and how you can find the allergy medication that is right for you. It provides information about several drugs and treatment methods for allergies. 6 Herbal Allergy Relief Ideas If you are looking for natural allergy relief, this is a great web site to research. It provides 6 herbal remedies that work for natural allergy relief and allow you to avoid over the counter or prescription medications. All About Allergies This is a great web site about natural allergy remedies. It provides information about allergies, how they work, how they affect your immune system, and how you can avoid prescription medications. Natural Allergy Relief If you are looking for a natural relief from allergies, this is an excellent web site to refer to. It provides information about various herbs that can be used to treat allergy symptoms. Wed MD Webmd.com provides information about natural allergy relief. It provides information about over-the-counter allergy medications and how natural allergy herbs are able to reduce the effects of allergies for many people. Allergy Relief Center This is the official web site for The Allergy Relief Center. They provide information pertaining to all different types of allergies and natural remedies you can do to reduce the effects of your allergies. Allergy Relief This is a short article about allergy relief. It discusses the use of over-the-counter allergy medications and how they provide relief for many allergy sufferers. It provides tips on how to take allergy medication. Allergy Shots Allergy shots are a common procedure for many patients suffering from allergies. This article provides information about allergy shots and what you need to be aware of before getting a monthly shot. FDA The food and drug administration has provided this web site for people who are looking for allergy relief. It is an informative web site about things you can do to receive allergy relief.

How Can I treat my allergies?

Over the Counter Allergy Medications
For most people that suffer from allergies, they can find allergy relief at their local grocery or drug store. Over the counter (OTC) drugs have given many allergy suffers excellent results. Some OTC medications do make people drowsy, but many are now switching to non-drowsy formulas.

A few things you should keep in your medicine cabinet: Benadryl liquid, Benadryl tablets, and nasal spray. Many doctors will recommend Benadryl liquid or cream for insect stings or hives. They are fairly inexpensive and typically do not expire for one year. Benadryl tablets are often given to people with mild allergies. They are also fairly inexpensive and provide relief for most common allergy symptoms such as: itchy or watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose, and coughing. Nasal spray is also recommended for allergy sufferers. Nasal spray will provide results within 3 to 10 minutes as it is inhaled through the nose. OTC medications are increasing and many prescription allergy medications have made it to OTC. Claritin and Zyrtec are two of the most popular allergy medications that have recently been cleared to be OTC medicines.

If you know you have allergies and can predict when they usually start to occur, you can help your body avoid some of the common symptoms by taking medications before the symptoms arise. For example, if you are allergic to grass or cotton and you are going to go outside and cut the grass or work in the yard, take an antihistamine about hour ahead of time. This allows the anti-histamine to circulate through your system and will help reduce or eliminate the results from exposure to allergens.

The Best Drug Options for Allergy Relief
The Food and Drug Administration has offered the following drug options for allergy relief:

• Nasal Corticosteroids - Nasonex and Flonase are the most common nasal sprays that are inhaled into the nose twice a day for allergy relief.


• Oral Antihistamines - These drugs are the OTC drugs and prescription anti-histamines to counteraction the action of histamine. Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, and Clarinex are all recommended by the FDA.


• Decongestants - These drugs are also available OTC or by prescription. Allegra D is a common prescription given for those who need an antihistamine and decongestant.


• Non-steroidal nasal sprays - NasalCrom is recommended by the FDA for those who need relief from nasal allergy symptoms. This is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug that needs to be administered 3 to 4 times a day.

Allergy Shots
For some patients, the only relief they can find for their allergies, are allergy shots. In the long run, allergy shots are a worthwhile investment for those with persistent allergies that don't respond to medications.

Allergy shots are given in two phases: the buildup phase and the maintenance phase. The buildup phase lasts about 3 to 7 months and you will get shots one to three times a week. The dosage is gradually increased with each shot; this allows your immune system to become more sensitized to the allergens that affect you. The maintenance phase last 3 to 5 years or longer. Once your dosage amount has been increased to an effective level, you will need a maintenance dose about once a month.

Most people who are treated with allergy shots have seasonal allergies, indoor allergies, or insect stings. Allergy shots are not for everyone. Most doctors will only prescribe allergy shots if the patient is consistently exposed to allergens and allergy medications do not control the symptoms, allergy medications are intolerable with other medications you need to take, you're allergic to insect stings, or you want to reduce your long-term use of allergy medications.

Before you can start receiving allergy shots, your doctor will perform a skin test to confirm that your reactions are caused by an allergy. Some doctors may require a blood test to determine allergens that do not react to the skin test.

Allergy relief will begin to be noticeable during the first year of treatment. By the third year of treatment, many people no longer have reactions to the allergens and no longer require treatment. Other patients need to continue treatment to keep allergy symptoms from reoccurring.

Make Changes at Home
You may find that a few simple changes made at home can treat your allergy symptoms. Some things you can do to prevent allergies are simple changes around your home:

• Dust and vacuum weekly


• Remove carpets all together and replace them with hardwood floors or laminate floors.


• Cover your upholstered furniture in plastic.


• Use an air purifier to control odors, dust, pollen, mold, animal dander, and bacteria.


• Wash bedding and clothing often and store laundered fabrics in closed closets and drawers.


• Keep pets out of the home and wash them when needed.


• Keep your house temperature around 68-72 degrees. Colder nighttime temperatures promote better sleep for the individual with allergies.


• Clean areas that are prone to mold, such as the bathroom and basement, with proper anti-bacterial cleansers.


• Wipe kitchen counters with cleansers daily.


• Remove draperies from your home as they are prone to dust.


• Keep windows closed during times of high pollen counts.


• Replace air conditioner filters with allergy-free filters.

Natural Allergy Relief Remedies
Neti Pots
People in India have used Neti pots to flush the sinuses and keep them clear. It is similar to using a nasal spray. It is basically a saltwater mixture that is used to rinse out your sinus. If you do not want to purchase a Neti pot, you can use your hand to rinse the sinuses. You will need to mix a quarter to a half teaspoon of non-iodized table salt into a cup of lukewarm water and pour it into the pot, or into the palm of your hand. Then, lean over your sink or bathtub with your head slightly cocked to one side and pour the saltwater into one nostril and allow it to drain out the other nostril. You will then repeat this process on the other nostril. Once you have done so, gently blow out each nostril to clear them. Most people use neti pots twice a day during allergy season.

Herbs
Here are some natural herbs you can try for allergy relief:

• Licorice Root - This herb encourages the production of certain hormones by the adrenal glands. It helps reduce inflammation and increase interferon, which fights viruses.


• Sarsaparilla Root - This promotes healthy circulation, benefits the glandular system, and helps to stimulate natural hormone production.


• Bladderwrack - This also promotes glandular health. It is considered to be an immune system booster.


• Ginger Root - This stimulates the immune system and has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.


• Astragalus - This helps build a natural resistance to colds and flu.


• Capsicum - This is high in vitamin C and helps the respiratory system fight infections. It is high in quercitin, a natural antihistamine, which helps those with allergies and respiratory problems.


• Rose Hips Extract - This is used to prevent and heal infections. It is also used for the treatment of colds, flu, and fever.


• Marshmallow Root - This is known for relieving irritation of mucous membranes and helps the body expel excess mucous.


• Burdock - This is used to treat colds and sore throats.


• Mullein - Used to treat cough, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.


• Eyebright - This is used for congestion, coughs, and hay fever.


• Acerola Cherry - This is a natural source of anti-histamine. It is high in vitamin C.


• Ma Huang - It contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, both used in prescription and OTC allergy medications.


• Rosemary - This is used to strengthen the nervous system. It also provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic relief.


• White Pine - This is used to treat chest congestion, colds, and coughs.