Diagnosing the source of the problem is merely the first step in addressing your allergy needs. The management of your allergy following diagnosis can be a complex process depending upon the number of allergens that you exhibit allergy to, and the severity of your symptoms. Following diagnosis, there are three courses of treatment for allergy that your medical professional may advise, which can be used individually, or in concert with one another, depending on your individual needs.
Avoidance and Environmental Control
Not really a treatment in the classical sense, avoidance aims to manage your surrounding environment. For food allergy, foods may be eliminated from your diet (not an easy task, since there are many hidden allergens in processed foods). For dust mite allergy, allergen-barrier covers are available for bedding. Take the necessary steps to minimize your exposure to the triggers of your allergies. Ultimately, the goal of avoidance and environmental control techniques is to minimize exposure to your particular allergy triggers.
Immunotherapy
Classical immunotherapy involves injection of an allergen solution into the patient in an effort to develop immune system tolerance. Immunotherapy is the only therapy option that treats the cause of the disease rather than manages the symptoms. New methods for immunotherapy are emerging in which the injections are replaced by tablets or drops that are placed under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy). Only immunotherapy treats the cause of allergic disease directly and may result in a cure.
Pharmacotherapy
Perhaps the most common treatment for allergies is the administration of antihistamine, either through over-the-counter or prescription medications. Most individuals with allergies take these and other prescription allergy drugs without really knowing the cause of their symptoms. As a result, many people who take these drugs will require on-going therapy, the long-term health effects of which are unknown.
