Treating Allergies
Once we determine what you are allergic to, we try to minimize exposure and sensitivity.
Lessening Exposure
- Proper environmental control is paramount in lessening exposure. See our tips for avoiding allergens.
- Hypertonic saline irrigations can also help immeasurably. This allows the patient to literally wash the allergens and irritants out of the nose.
- For specific fungal allergens, antifungal medications are helpful in lessening that exposure.
Lessening Sensitivity
- Avoidance is often not practical in the real world, so we prescribe specific medications to lessen sensitivity. A number of medications are useful in the treatment of allergy including antihistamines, decongestants, cromolyn, leukotriene inhibitors, and cortisone-type preparations. Nasal steroid sprays are the main “work horse” of medical therapy.
- The only cure available for inhalant allergy is the administration of injections that build up protective antibodies to specific allergen. We are also keeping up with the advances in allergy drops (under-the-tongue drops) that are given three times a day. These options are also called immunotherapy. Read more about it using the links below.
If medical and immunotherapy are not enough, we can consider the latest technology to endoscopically open up the sinuses or nasal passages. We can even combine this with plastic surgery of the nose to make your nose look and function better.
Immunotherapy for Allergies
Immunotherapy is the only allergy treatment that has the potential to cure the disease. It gets at the cause of the problem, rather than to just treat the symptoms. Most physicians agree that immunotherapy is underutilized and we are really seeing that with the new asthma guidelines as well as in treatment recommendations for eosinophilic esophagitis.
Interestingly, Immunotherapy involves the administration of the substances that trigger allergies to the patient on a regular basis. Although it seems counterintuitive, it seems to correct the immune system's hyper-responsiveness. Currently immunotherapy can be administered as subcutaneous shots or as an under the tongue tablet or drops.
|
| Allergy Shots | Allergy Drops |
| Method of Administration | Shot in the Arm(s) | A Drop Under the Tongue |
| Insurance Coverage | Yes | NO |
| Risk of Anaphylaxis | Small | None Reported |
| Adverse Reactions | Multiple (Swelling, Itching, Hay fever, etc.) | Nausea, Itching/Swelling/Tingling in the Mouth |
| Physician Visit Required? | Weekly for Years | Every 6-12 Months |
| Allergy Testing Required | Yes (every 1-3 years depending on the allergy profile) | Yes (every 1-3 years depending on the allergy profile) |
| Insurance Coverage for Allergy Testing | Yes for Most Insurances | Yes for Most Insurances |
| Contraindications? | Yes (beta-blockers, history of anaphylaxis, young children, infants; severe asthmatics) | NO |
| Duration of Treatment | 3-5+ years | 3-5+ years |
| Treatment Frequency | Every 1 to 4 weeks | Once/Daily |
| Treatment Location | Physician Office on Build-Up; Home on Maintenance if not asthmatic. | Home |
| FDA Approved? | Yes | Off-Label (Currently Pending) |
| Effective? | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Per Insurance Carrier | $100 for 2 month supply (less than $12 a week) |
Tips for Avoiding Allergens
Several options are available for controlling allergens in your environment.
Treating Food Allergies
Treatment is mainly through dietary manipulation, and can include medical therapy and immunotherapy.
Treating Mold and Fungal Allergies
Treatment involves limiting exposure to the allergen and lessening your sensitivity.