Allergy Treatment

If you have recently discovered that you are allergic to something, you might be wondering what happens next: What kind of allergy medications should I be taking? How do I avoid the things that I am allergic to? Can allergies be cured? For answers to these and many other questions you may have, we are here for you!

Individualized Allergy Treatment Options

As your highly trained and experienced Atlanta allergist, Dr. Chacko will create an allergy treatment plan to take care of your individual needs. Allergy treatment plans generally consist of any combination of the following options:

• Environmental – simply avoiding your allergens, if possible
• Medicinal – prescription or over-the-counter tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops, etc.
• Immunotherapeutic – more commonly known as allergy shots
• Auto-injectors – i.e., the EpiPen, for allergic reactions that range from extreme to life-threatening

How Do I Avoid Allergens?

The most common way to avoid allergens is to limit your need for allergy medications and avoid your allergens as much as you can. This could include reducing washing your nose out daily, staying away from items that cause your allergies to act up, keep your home and spaces you spend time at like the office clean and free of possible allergens.

What Medicines Can I Take for Allergies?

There are many prescription and over the counter medications that are here for you to relieve allergy systems. If left untreated it can result in painful problems like sinus infections, ear infections, runny nose, sore eyes and more. Here is a brief list of some allergy medications that can help:

• Nasal Corticosteroids – Also known as nose sprays. These medications can reduce swelling that causes sneezing, itchy and runny noses. Nose sprays are the most effective medicine for nasal and sinus allergies.
• Antihistamines – Can calm sneezing, itching, runny nose, and hives. They come in many different forms like pills, liquids melting tablets and nose sprays.
• Mast Cell Stabilizers – This can help with itchy, watery eyes or itchy, watery noses. The 2 formats that they come in are eye drops or nasal sprays.
• Decongestants – can reduce stuffiness. They do this by shrinking the swollen membranes in the nose. When using decongestants be careful when coming off them, and do not use them more than 3 times a day. This could result in more swelling and stuffiness.
• Corticosteroid Creams or Ointments – can relieve itchiness and stop rashes from spreading. If you use these creams for a week and you do not see an improvement in your rash, contact your doctor.
• Oral Corticosteroids – These are a prescribed drug that will help reduce swelling and stop severe allergic reactions. Your doctor will monitor you as you start on this medication.
• Epinephrine – These are pre-measured shots that are in a self-injectable device. These are used when your allergies are life-threatening and should be kept on you always. For this to work properly you must get the shot within minutes of the first sign of a serious reaction. Once administered go to the emergency room.

What Immunotherapy Treatments Are Available to Me?

Immunotherapy is a treatment option offered to some allergy patients. There are 2 common types of Immunotherapy treatments which include:

• Allergy Shots
• Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)

Allergy shots are injections that are given to the patient, that includes allergens and the dose is increased over time. With this treatment, a person becomes less sensitive to that allergen slowly.

SLIT is another way to treat certain allergies but without injections. A trained allergist like Dr. Chacko will give some patients small doses of the allergen under the tongue. This technique can improve tolerance to the substance and reduce the patient’s symptoms. Talk to your Atlanta allergist Dr. Chacko today to learn more about SLIT today.

How Can I Treat an Allergy Symptoms Naturally?

To counteract the effect of the histamine produced by your body you can try antihistamines, corticosteroids, and decongestants, as well as some over the counter allergy medications.

There are other ways to naturally treat your allergy symptoms that include not taking medications if they are mild symptoms. Some of these treatments include changing your diet, making sure that your home is always clean, and keeping away from the allergens that cause your allergies to act up.

Three natural ways to fight allergies include the following:

• Neti Pot – Using one of these during allergy season is a very effective way to relieve nasal congestion and flush out mucus.
• Essential Oils – Using an essential oils diffuser with menthol, eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint oil can help open the nasal passages and lungs. These can also improve circulation and as a bonus feature, relieve stress and more.
• Acupuncture – reduces the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.

What Are the Best Supplements for Allergy Symptoms?

• Spirulina
• Quercetin
• Butterbur
• Probiotics
• Vitamin A
• Zinc
• Bromelain
• Stinging Nettles

Questions About Your Allergy and Treatment?

When you come in for your initial assessment, we will be happy to address any of your questions or concerns to ensure that you are well-informed of everything relating to your allergy. Patient education is one of our top priorities! Although your allergist has the necessary training and knowledge to recommend the appropriate treatment for your unique case, an ability to take care of yourself can make all the difference.

Please note that while an allergy treatment plan cannot cure an allergy, it can treat and control your symptoms. We can help relieve your sneezing, itchy and/or watery eyes, skin rashes or hives, and much more!

Contact Your Allergy Treatment Physician, Dr. Thomas Chacko Today

Call Dr. Thomas Chacko today to make sure that you are using the correct allergy treatment to best suit your allergy symptoms. Call us today at 678-668-4688.

To learn more about allergy treatment plans and/or to begin the process of creating one to combat your own allergy, request an appointment. Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center has five locations in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area to serve you – Alpharetta, Atlanta, Cumming, Duluth or Johns Creek.