Treatment of allergy by the modern system of medicine involves a systematic and multifaceted approach. It varies according to the type of allergy as well as the individual involved and severity of the disease. For a better understanding of the treatment, the following measures can be outlined:-<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Preventive aspects of treatment
\n\u25a1 Anti-allergic medicines
\n\u25a1 Steroids
\n\u25a1 Allergy injections<\/p>\n
Preventive Measures<\/p>\n
As the old saying goes “Prevention is better than cure”, the best form of treatment of allergy is to “nip it in the bud”. This form of treatment involves avoidance of the allergens which are responsible for causing allergy. This is a very effective, economical and safe form of management with no adverse effects of medications. For this, allergy testing should be performed first to confirm the suspected allergens. Once the allergens are identified, the following measures can be taken for the prevention of further episodes of allergy.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Those who are allergic to plant pollens or seasonal moulds should avoid outdoor activity during peak pollen hours, i.e., late mornings to early afternoons (11 a.m to 3 p.m). In Indian conditions hot, humid and windy days are bad for people with dust allergy.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 For those who are allergic to grass pollens, wearing a surgical type mask while mowing the lawn or gardening may help in averting symptoms of allergy.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Keeping the windows closed throughout the day and using an airconditioner can prevent airborne pollens from entering indoors.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 To prevent house dust-mite allergy, specially constructed pillow, mattress and box-spring covers made of fabrics or plastics that act as a barrier for allergens should be used.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 All sheets, mattress pads, pillow cases and blankets should be washed every week in hot water to kill the dust mites.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 The carpets may be removed or treated with tannic acid spray or vacuumed frequently with vacuum cleaners with attached filters.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 For prevention of pet allergy, the animal should be kept outside the house and the carpet and all rooms should be thoroughly cleaned.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 To avoid presence of indoor fungi and moulds like Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria, leaky roofs, ceilings, flooded basements and damaged plumbing should be repaired. Dehumidifiers are also useful.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Extermination of household pests like cockroaches, mosquitoes, houseflies, rats, etc., is essential. Traps, bait and hygiene control are necessary but sprays may aggravate asthma.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 The mainstay of treatment of skin, insect, drug and food allergy is discontinuation of contact with the offending agent. Thus, the identification and avoidance of the allergic substance remains the key to resolve the problem. Careful education should be provided regarding sources of the allergen and how to avoid it.<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Educating the person as well as the family members is a useful measure in controlling different types of allergies. In case of food allergy, when eating out, the contents of the prepared food should be enquired. At home even, warning stickers should be placed on foods with the offending antigen for food-sensitive individuals.<\/p>\n
Anti-allergic Medicines<\/p>\n
Depending on the type, there are several medications for treatment and control of allergy. They are as follows:-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Antihistamines
\n\u25a1 Medicines for asthma
\n\u25a1 Antibiotics
\n\u25a1 Local (topical) agents<\/p>\n
Antihistamines<\/p>\n
In the process of allergy, certain chemical substances called mediators are released from the body. Of these, the most important mediator is known as Histamine.<\/p>\n
The basic medical treatment of allergy lies in reducing the effects of histamine, i.e. sneezing, itching, running nose, breathing problems, swelling of the skin, nose, lungs, etc. Most of the histamine effects occur when histamine binds to the affected tissues or organs via histamine receptors. There are three types of histamine receptors (HI, H2 and H ) of which Hj receptors are most important. A list of commonly used antihistamines is given for easy reference.<\/p>\n
Commonly Used Antihistamines<\/p>\n
Pharmacological Name – Popular Brand Name
\nPheniramine maleate – Avil
\nChlorpheniramine maleate – Cadistin
\nDexchlorpheniramine maleate – Polaramine
\nDiphenhydramine – Benadryl
\nCyproheptadine – Practin
\nDimethindene maleate – Foristal
\nEmbramine – Mebryl
\nAzatadine maleate – Zadine
\nAstemizole – Stemiz
\nTerfenadine – Trexyl
\nCetirizine – Alerid
\nLevocetirizine – Levorid
\nClemastine fumarate – Tavegyl
\nLoratadine -Loridin
\nHydroxyzine – Atarax
\nMethdilazine – Dilosyn
\nDesloratadine – Deslor
\nFexofenadine – Allegra
\nEbastine – Ebast
\nKetotifen – Ketasma
\nMizolastine – Elina
\nFlunisolide – Syntaris (spray)
\nAzelastine – Azep (spray)<\/p>\n
These antihistamines are quite successful in controlling the main and early symptoms of allergy but they have certain side-effects. The usual adverse effects are headache, drowsiness, giddiness, dryness of the mouth, blurring of vision, diarrhoea, stomach-ache, flatulence (gas) and fatigue. The adverse effects are lesser with newer antihistamines like Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, Joratadine, Azelastine, etc.<\/p>\n
Medicines for Asthma<\/p>\n
Asthma is a disease associated with narrowed breathing pathways which leads to spells of breathlessness, giddiness, cough, noisy breathing and other symptoms. There are several medicines which are used in controlling Bronchial Asthma. A list of medicines with their popular brand names is given below:-<\/p>\n
Commonly Used Medicines for Asthma<\/p>\n
Pharmacological Name – Brand Name<\/p>\n
Salbutamol – Asthalin, Ventorlin
\nTheophylin + Etophylin – Deriphylin
\nTerbutaline – Bricanyl
\nBambuterol – Bambudil
\nKetotifen – Asthafen, Ketasma
\nMontelukast – Emlucast, Ventair
\nZaferlukot – Zuvair<\/p>\n
Mechanisms of action of the above medicines are as follows:-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Improve functioning of the lungs by bronchodilatation (increasing elasticity).
\n\u25a1 Decrease number of eosinophils in the blood which are responsible for the allergy.
\n\u25a1 Remove mucus and dust from the lungs.
\n\u25a1 Facilitate easy breathing.
\n\u25a1 Control the symptoms of allergy.
\n\u25a1 Prevent symptoms of asthma and allergy following exercise or due to intake of painkillers like aspirin.
\n\u25a1 Improve symptoms of allergy in the nose and sinuses.<\/p>\n
Antibiotics<\/p>\n
In almost all types of allergy, there is a superadded infection in the due course of time. This is due to the entry of bacteria in these areas. Depending on the condition and the type of bacteria, the antibiotic is selected and needs to be given for a period ranging from one week to six weeks. The commonly used antibiotics are Amoxycillin, Septran, Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Cefuroxime, Levofloxacin, Cefixime, Cefpodoxime, Clindamycin, etc.<\/p>\n
Local (topical) Agents<\/p>\n
In the treatment of allergy, certain medicines are directly applied at the affected site for early and better results. These are known as local or topical agents. They come in the form of nasal drops and sprays, inhalers, eye drops and ointments, skin creams, lotions, etc. A list of some of the popular brands of topical agents is given in the table below:-<\/p>\n
Popular Local (Topical) Agents<\/p>\n
Nasal drops\/ sprays – Inhalers Eye drops\/ ointments – Skin Creams<\/p>\n
Otrivin – Asthalin – Locula – Neosporin
\nDristan – Beclate – Cifran – Betadine
\nEndrine – Bricanyl – Genticyn – Furacin
\nIfiral – Budecort – Chloromycetin – Flucort
\nFlomist – Foracort – Ensamycin – Betnovate
\nEfcorlin – Metaspray – Silverex – Clobate<\/p>\n
Role of Steroids in Allergy<\/p>\n
Steroids or corticosteroids are currently the most important class of medicines used to treat allergy. The mechanism of action of steroids by which they combat allergy are as given on the next page:-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 By modulating the function of white blood cells in order to minimise the symptoms of allergy.
\n\u25a1 By inhibiting production of chemical mediators which cause allergy.
\n\u25a1 By reducing mucus secretion in the airways.
\n\u25a1 By decreasing inflammation of the airways and improving aeration.<\/p>\n
Corticosteroids are available in different forms as oral medicines, injections, nasal drops\/sprays, inhalers, eye drops, skin creams, etc.<\/p>\n
Some of the popular brands of steroids are Wysolone, Betnesol, Decadron, Cortisone, Kenacort, etc.<\/p>\n
The steroids are wonderful medicines except for their side-effects which include weight gain, high blood pressure, ulcers in the stomach, cataracts, softening of bones, stunting of growth, psychological changes and aggravation of diabetes. However, these side-effects only occur after prolonged use of these medicines.<\/p>\n
Allergy Injections<\/p>\n
Some people who do not respond to the above measures may benefit from allergy injections also known as allergen immunotherapy. The candidates for this therapy are as follows:-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Those who do not respond to allergen avoidance.
\n\u25a1 Those who do not respond to anti-allergic medicine.
\n\u25a1 Those who develop severe side-effects of medicines.
\n\u25a1 Those who cannot adhere to complex regimen of multiple medications.
\n\u25a1 Those who suffer from multiple allergies.<\/p>\n
The basic concept or goal of allergy injections is to help the body in producing more of immunoglobulin (Ig)G to counterbalance the excessive levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)E which are common in allergic individuals.<\/p>\n
In this method, the doctor injects a serum containing allergenic substances such as dust, pollen, animal dander, food extract, etc., just below the skin surface. The cells that make IgE antibodies are located on the skin surface while the cells that make IgG antibodies are located in the liver, lymph nodes and spleen. This method bypasses the skin surface and the serum enters the body to produce IgG instead of IgE.<\/p>\n
These injections are given in increasing doses once or twice a week for two to three months and then once a month for two to three years. About 80% of people experience improvement after one to two years and the effects persist for several years. People with dust allergy benefit the most from this treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Treatment of allergy by the modern system of medicine involves a systematic and multifaceted approach. It varies according to the type of allergy as well as the individual involved and severity of the disease. For a better understanding of the treatment, the following measures can be outlined:-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allergy-cure"],"yoast_head":"\n