Treating your allergy
Antihistamines / Decongestants / Glucocorticosteriods / Immunotherapy
If you begin experiencing allergy symptoms for the first time, it's important to see a doctor before taking further action. As well as a diagnosis, a doctor can also offer advice on hay fever. Alternatively you could visit a pharmacist who would be able to offer you advice on suitable treatment options.
Once you have decided that allergy medication should be part of the fight against your allergies, you then have the challenge of deciding which type of allergy medication is the best choice.
Start by finding out what kind of treatment is available, and how each of them works to relieve your symptoms:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are the most common form of hay fever medication, which work by blocking the action of histamine in your system. They come in pill, liquid and nasal spray form, over the counter or by prescription.
Antihistamines help relieve your most common allergy symptoms, including itchy or watery eyes, sneezing and runny noses among others.
What are antihistamines?
Antihistamines work by blocking the actions of histamine. While they can’t actually stop your body from having an allergic reaction, they can help relieve the symptoms.
What are Histamines?
When sensitised individuals come into contact with an allergy trigger, the body releases chemicals called histamines. These are chemicals that cause allergy symptoms like runny noses, itchy eyes, and even hives.
How do antihistamines work?
Antihistamines prevent the actions of histamine when your body comes in contact with allergy triggers.
How do antihistamines help allergies?
Antihistamines can help relieve allergy symptoms. These symptoms can include: sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itchy, runny nose or skin rash.
Types of antihistamine
There are a number of antihistamines available to relieve allergy symptoms. Two options from the Benadryl range include:
Acrivastine: Benadryl Allergy Relief Capsules
Benadryl Allergy Relief contains acrivastine, which starts to work in 15 minutes and works faster than cetirizine and loratadine tablets and capsules.
Cetirizine: Benadryl One a Day 10mg Tablets
Benadryl One a Day contains cetirizine which provides long lasting, all day relief.
Decongestants
Decongestants help relieve nasal and sinus congestion by shrinking swollen nasal membranes. They can come in the form of pills and liquid nasal sprays. They may be combined with an antihistamine (for example BENADRYL® Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant) to provide more complete symptom relief.
BENADRYL® Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant is the only capsule to contain both a fast acting antihistamine and a powerful decongestant.Find out more about BENADRYL® Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant.
Glucocorticosteroids
Usually only available by prescription, corticosteroids generally work by suppressing the release of chemicals normally produced by your body during an allergic reaction. There are several different types including:
Intranasal corticosteroids – Nasal corticosteroids help to treat and prevent further swelling of the nasal passages. They also relieve congestion and other nasal symptoms.
Oral corticosteroids – These will usually be prescribed for short term periods only, to help relieve very severe symptoms from allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy
Also known as allergy shots. These are a series of injections given by a healthcare professional, usually for a number of years. Each shot contains small amounts of allergens to provoke an antibody response that will reduce your sensitivity and increase your tolerance of the allergen over time.
If you are considering treatment BENADRYL® may be able to help, find out more about the BENADRYL® range click here.
Allergy Type Guide
Find out more about the 4 most common types of allergy and how you can manage them.