When it comes to treating allergies, avoiding your triggers is the best medicine. But that’s not easy when what makes you sneeze is a beloved pet. If finding your pet a new home isn’t an option, talk to your doctor about treating your symptoms with medications or allergy shots.

Over-the-counter medications

For occasional symptoms, over-the-counter medications can be an effective weapon against the sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, and general misery of animal allergies. Whenever you take any medication, however, follow the directions provided. Take only the recommended dose, and monitor for side effects. If side effects from over-the-counter medications worsen even after you’ve stopped taking them, call your doctor.

Antihistamines

Prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines help prevent and relieve common allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. They work by counteracting the effects of histamine, a chemical your body releases when it detects an allergen in your system. Newer prescription medications are less likely to cause drowsiness than over-the-counter antihistamines. Both can have other side effects, however, such as dry mouth, dry eyes, or constipation.

Decongestants

Decongestants are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Often used in combination with antihistamines, they help relieve stuffy nose and sinus congestion by shrinking blood vessels and reducing the amount of fluid in the affected area. Side effects can include difficulty sleeping, nervousness, and increased blood pressure.

A word of warning: over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays and drops can actually make your congestion worse if used for more than three or four days in a row. That’s why they’re not recommended for people with ongoing allergy symptoms. Prescription sprays and drops can be used safely for longer periods of time, as your doctor directs.

Topical nasal steroids

Topical nasal steroids are anti-inflammatory agents used to reduce mucus secretion and nasal swelling. This kind of steroid is not to be confused with the anabolic steroids taken by some athletes to increase muscle mass. Available by prescription only, topical nasal steroids can be effective in treating allergy symptoms when combined with antihistamines. Topical nasal steroids are usually taken in spray form and have few side effects when used as directed.

Allergy shots (immunotherapy)

This long-term treatment does more than just treat allergy symptoms. Allergy shots actually change the way your immune system reacts to an allergen. Treatment consists of a series of shots that contain a small amount of the substance you’re allergic to. Over time, your body slowly builds up a resistance to the substance, and your allergy symptoms decrease.

The shots must be given under a doctor’s supervision. (Adverse reactions are rare, but can happen.) You’ll need to receive shots once a week or more in the beginning, and then less often as your immunity increases. Treatment usually lasts three to five years.
The effectiveness of allergy shots varies widely from person to person. Some people achieve permanent immunity once they finish their original treatment. Others continue to receive shots on a regular basis.

Since allergy symptoms can evolve over time, effective treatment is always a work in progress. Record any changes in your allergy symptoms and triggers, so your doctor can adjust your treatment plan. Working with your doctor, you can reduce animal allergy symptoms while continuing to enjoy the time you spend with your pet.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 9th, 2007 at 10:09 am and is filed under Pets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.