Dealing with any type of allergy is frustrating and can be complex to navigate, especially in the long-term.
Modern allergy treatments, however, have shifted from simply managing the symptoms to offering long-term relief in different ways. These include allergen immunotherapy and, in some cases, biologic therapies.
This practical guide will explain what modern allergy treatment options are available for those who might be looking for more long-term relief.
Disease-modifying immunotherapy
The benefit of immunotherapy is that it acts as a vaccine against allergies. It modifies the immune system’s response, rather than just masking the symptoms.
It’s typically recommended for 3-5 year courses in order to achieve a lasting relief for the individual in question. Sublingual immunotherapy, otherwise referred to as SLIT for short, is a convenient and modern alternative to shots, involving drops or tablets that help to build tolerance at home, taken daily.
Such allergens that this type of immunotherapy helps with are dust mites, ragweed, grass pollen, and birch pollen, to name but a few. SLIT can help to improve symptoms and may also reduce the reliance on medication for years once the treatment ends.
The use of subcutaneous immunotherapy involves injections in an allergist’s office and helps with building up to a maintenance dose. You’ve also got intralymphatic immunotherapy, which is an experimental approach where allergens are injected directly into the lymph nodes, requiring possibly only a few doses for lasting desensitization.
Modern pharmaceutical approaches
For allergy treatments, several modern pharmaceutical approaches are available. This is where immunotherapy isn’t an option, and long-term medication strategies are often safer and more effective than they were in the past.
Intranasal corticosteroids
The most effective medication when it comes to nasal symptoms is an intranasal corticosteroid. It provides safe and long-term relief when used consistently.
Second-generation antihistamines
The use of second-generation antihistamines is great as they’re less sedating and preferred for long-term use.
Biologics
For severe cases, including allergies like asthma, drugs like omalizumab or dupilumab are great for targeting immune pathways and help to directly stop the reactions from happening.
Practical daily management and avoidance
To help with the daily management of allergens and to avoid them where possible, it’s beneficial to know the basics.
Nasal irrigation is a good thing to do daily in order to wash out any pollen or dust mites that are escaping up the nose. It reduces symptoms and can boost the effects of other medications as a result.
HEPA purifiers in the living spaces and bedroom have been shown to reduce indoor pollen, as well as mite-related symptoms.
Showering immediately after being outdoors can reduce the allergens causing you problems, and washing bedding frequently at a high heat helps to kill dust mites in particular.
In general, pollen management is helpful. Wear masks, use apps to check pollen forecasts, and wear sunglasses in order ot significantly reduce exposure where possible.
With these modern allergy treatments, a lot of people are finding productive treatments that are helping long-term with their allergies.
Photo by Brittany Colette on Unsplash
