Treating allergies and asthma falls into three basic categories. These are avoidance therapy, drug therapy, and immunotherapy.
Avoidance therapy involves determining what things act as triggers of an attack. A detailed medical history is taken and various tests are performed. Once triggers are identified, the first step in treatment is to eliminate as much contact with them as possible. Sometimes this is as simple as not eating a particular food and other times it can be more difficult, possibly even requiring a major lifestyle change. By avoiding triggers, a patient avoids allergy or asthma attacks as well.
The second part of treatment is drug therapy. Asthmatic patients may take anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators, while allergy sufferers may use medications such as antihistamines to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
The third treatment option is immunotherapy in which small amounts of allergens are injected into the body in an effort to build up a tolerance to the offending substances. This method is also called simply, allergy shots. This form of treatment is usually used for people sensitive to inhaled allergens like pollen, mold, and dust, but also works well for insect sting sensitivity. High-sensitivity food allergies are not treated with immunotherapy because of the chance of a severe allergic reaction.
The type of treatment you might receive will depend on individual circumstances. A healthcare provider will determine what course of treatment will be best for the person with allergies.
Last Reviewed 2005
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIL File ALLE4162.RF2 VRS# 4162 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 2000 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.
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