Allergies - Airborne

For the majority of severe allergy sufferers, avoidance of the specific allergens that trigger their reactions and being prepared to treat those that occur with an immediate shot of epinephrine are the only options. Some people allergic to food, insect stings, or medications may outgrow or spontaneously become tolerant to their allergens. For others, immunotherapy can offer a cure.

There are 4 basic approaches to the management of AR: (1) environmental controls; (2) education; (3) pharmacotherapy; and (4) allergen immunotherapy.

Environmental controls need to be individualized depending on what the patient's allergens are. Examples includ washing linen in hot water, decreasing exposure to pets & dander, keeping tubs, sinks, toilets on a regular cycle for cleaning to decrease molds, using air purifiers and airconditioning, minimizing exposure to tobacco smoke and other pollutants. Any other changes which might trigger reactions also need to be minimized, such as exposure to extreme temperature changes, or not exercising when initially explosing self to change in weather/temperature.

All living things, whether plant or animal, have a rhythm to their lives. In human beings, there are several rhythms in our lives which regulate when one's core body temperature is higher, when our heart beat is faster, when our immune system is more proactive.

Home Treatment

The first thing a person who has allergic rhinitis must know is that this disease is a chronic disorder, and therefore one must be patient in consistently changing lifestyle behaviors, and not expecting immediate results.

The main treatment for allergies is to avoid the exposures that trigger your symptoms. But avoidance is not always easy, and in some cases may be impossible. The first question to ask about treatment is: "Is it necessary?"

Breathing exercises help you control the emptying of your lungs by using your abdominal muscles. Detailed directions are given for three types of breathing that you might not be used to doing: diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and deep-breathing exercises. They should be done two to four times daily.

The Lung Association gives this proven advice: The best way to treat allergies is to prevent them - stay away from the things that you are allergic to. No treatment will work as well as simply avoiding the allergen in the first place.

Astelin (Azelastine) is a second generation antihistamine nasal spray that has been approved by the U.S. FDA for treating both seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children 5 years and older, and nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis in adults and children 12 years and older. Azelastine provides 12 hours of symptom relief and is designed to be used twice a day.

Nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis can produce symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, or cough. However, nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis is caused by exposure to common indoor and outdoor triggers, including strong odors such as tobacco smoke, perfumes, colognes, hairspray, soaps, detergents, cleaners, paint and car exhaust fumes. Weather also can trigger nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis, especially changes in humidity and temperature. Spicy foods and alcohol can trigger allergy-like symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and postnasal drip. Some estimates are that 80% of patients with rhinitis had both allergic and nonallergic symptoms. Interestingly, other second generation antihistamines such as Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, Loratadine etc. are not approved for nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis.

(Click under Resources at right  on the Consumer Reports site to download full 16-page report)
This report (Available en espagnol) evaluates four newer antihistamines. Studies show them to be equally effective. All cause less drowsiness than the older antihistamines sold widely as nonprescription drugs (such as Benadryl Allergy, Chlor-Trimeton Allergy, and Dimetapp Allergy). However, the newer drugs are no more effective than the older ones at relieving symptoms.