Allergy medicine
The UK has one of the highest incidences of allergy in the world. It affects more than 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives. If you’re one of them then you’ve probably explored some of the allergy medicines available. But maybe not all.
Read on to find out more about what's available.
Relief for allergy symptoms vs long-term allergy medicine
Allergy medicine splits into two types; symptom relief and a long-term treatment called immunotherapy. Symptom relievers can make you feel better. But you’ll probably have to take them again when you breathe in more pollen, dust mite particles or pet dander. The goal of immunotherapy is no more allergy symptoms or that they’re much milder. The treatment targets the underlying allergy by reprogramming your immune system. It teaches it to see harmless substances for what they actually are; harmless instead of a threat.
Advice about allergy medicine
Talk to your doctor to find out which treatment could be right for you. Not all types of allergy medicine are suitable for everyone. Your age and the severity of your allergy are factors. So are other medications you might be on.
A trip to the pharmacy for advice and OTC products may be enough for mild allergies or an occasionally itchy nose or eyes. Stronger symptom relievers need a prescription from a doctor. And you should always seek medical advice before giving a child any allergy medicine.
Antihistamine: the first allergy medicine
Antihistamine is one of the most common symptom-relief allergy medications. It’s been helping people manage allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes for over 75 years. Antihistamine blocks the histamine released when your body feels under attack. Histamine is a chemical in your body behind a lot of your cold-like symptoms.
Older types of antihistamine can cause drowsiness. Newer versions are less likely to. These second-generation antihistamines generally let you carry on with your day as normal. Take a tablet or drink a liquid and usually wait one to two hours to feel the effect. There are also nasal sprays, eye drops and creams.
Corticosteroids: Nasal sprays and other allergy medicine
Corticosteroids are another common allergy medicine. They can help with conditions like hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema (atopic dermatitis). Corticosteroids work by copying a hormone made by your body. They treat the inflammation that’s part of an allergic reaction.
Topical corticosteroids such as nasal sprays target a specific part of your body. You can also get a corticosteroid and antihistamine nasal spray in one. These reduce inflammation in your nose and may help with the itching and sneezing. Research has shown that some people with hay fever respond well to combined nasal sprays.
Systemic corticosteroids treat your whole body. They come either as pills or injections and are usually prescribed in more severe cases.
Other types of allergy medicine
Leukotriene modifiers are another treatment for hay fever. They can also ease lower respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath or wheezing. Leukotrienes are chemicals your body releases when the immune system detects your allergen. Research suggests Leukotriene modifiers may be more effective than antihistamines at night.
There are other drugs if the lower respiratory symptoms are the worst for you. Some work together with inhaled corticosteroids to target symptoms like a tight chest.
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Too much choice, right? Don’t worry, your GP or pharmacist will know what is right for you. They can talk you through the different options.
How does symptom-relieving allergy medicine work?
Your immune system does a great job of protecting you from harmful viruses and other dangers. But sometimes it gets it wrong and that’s not so good for your health. An overactive immune system may mistake any number of things for a threat from cat dander to birch pollen. This is what leads to your uncomfortable allergy symptoms.
Think of allergy symptoms as a sign that your body is defending itself. Feeling itchy? That’s to make you scratch harmful substances off your skin. Congested or phlegmy? Your body is making more mucus to flush anything undesirable out of your nose. Watery eyes? It’s the same thing. Antihistamines, corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers are drugs that can counteract this allergic reaction.
Allergy medicine to retrain your body
Maybe your symptom-relief medications aren't helping – or not well enough. Well there is one treatment that can alter the course of your disease. Allergy immunotherapy targets the underlying cause not your symptoms.
You’ll need to commit to treatment. Your allergy symptoms may improve quite quickly but you must keep going for the full course to get the benefit. And it takes about three years of injections or tablets.
How does this long-term allergy medicine work?
It might surprise you but immunotherapy is a bit like getting a vaccination and dates back to 1911. A small amount of your allergen is given to you – on purpose. Not once but over and over again. In time your body learns not to react so much or sometimes not at all.
The goal is that your allergen stops being a trigger. Research does show that people get fewer symptoms after allergy immunotherapy. The lasting effects vary from person to person. Symptoms return for some while others find relief lasts for years.
What triggers can allergy medicine treat?
Symptom-relief medications don’t care what your trigger is. They tackle a runny nose, itchy watery eyes, skin reactions and so on no matter what caused them. You could be allergic to pollen, pets or dust mites and the meds will be the same.
Allergy immunotherapy is different. It’s allergen specific. That is, you get repeated tiny doses of your trigger. Immunotherapy can treat allergies such as:
- Pollen (tree, grass and weed)
- Mold
- House dust mites
- Cats, dogs and horses
- Stings (bee and wasp)
- Peanut
It is an established approach to pick a single allergen to ease the symptoms caused by many. Immunotherapy with one grass pollen can be effective in treating people sensitised to other grasses. In this case it’s clear the allergens are related. But the connection can also be less obvious. Sometimes it's about picking the allergen that's causing the most trouble.
For instance, you may have dust mite allergy and have mild to moderate symptoms all year. But then pollen season hits and your allergies are getting much worse. Even though symptoms are worst during the pollen months, treating the dust mite allergy can be the most effective way to tackle this combination and ease symptoms caused by other allergies. It's about dealing with the underlying main cause of allergy symptoms.
Can children take allergy medicine?
They can but it must be an allergy medicine specifically for kids. Antihistamines are available for kids over the age of one. You can buy mild versions without a prescription. But do speak to your GP before giving children any allergy medicine. There are also OTC corticosteroids for young children. They may also be prescribed stronger types for symptoms like a congested nose or dry skin. But it’s less common with children.
Meanwhile Leukotriene modifiers may help children struggling with lower respiratory symptoms or hay fever. There are different forms depending how old your child is.
Allergy immunotherapy is not usually available for children until the age of five. (Peanut immunotherapy can begin at four). And there is evidence early immunotherapy may prevent the development of new allergies and allergic conditions as well as tackling current symptoms.
Allergy medicine: the side effects
Like all drugs, allergy medicine can cause side effects. Read with care the information leaflet that comes with antihistamine and corticosteroid medication. The latter may affect the area where you used the steroid or the whole body. It’s particularly important to watch your child’s reaction.
Immunotherapy side effects tend to happen at the start of treatment and reduce over time. Your immune system may give you hints that it’s fighting what it thinks is a harmful substance. Remember this is all part of the treatment. Tell your GP if there are any side effects you’re concerned about.
Allergy medicine for severe reactions
The medical name for a severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. Some allergies are more likely to cause it; antibiotics, aspirin and other medicines, food, insect venom and latex. It’s important to get treatment right away.
Adrenaline auto-injectors are a treatment available on prescription to people with serious allergies. You must carry them with you at all times. Injectors can stop severe allergic reactions from becoming life-threatening.
There are different injectors. You’ll find helpful instructions on the side of each type. It’s a good idea to run through them with your family in case you have a severe reaction and need their help. Auto-injectors go out of date so check and renew yours when necessary. Sign up to expiry alert services. You'll get a text or email when your injector is about to expire.
Allergy medications and testing
If you've never had a diagnosis, or your symptoms have changed, then you may need an allergy test. Your GP may suggest a skin prick or blood test to help identify your trigger.
Certain allergy medications can interfere with allergy test results. For example, you must stop antihistamines before a skin prick test. Let your GP know what meds you’re on before taking any test. They’ll tell you if you need to stop and for how long.
