Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Medications

• Antihistamines-stop the interaction between histmamine and the receptors; block the action of histmaine; usually taken as pills or syrup
• Decongestants-decrease congestion by constricting blood vessels, taken as pills or as a nasal spray; use of the nasal spray may lead to rebound congestion
• Mast cell inhibitors-nasal sprays that interfere with the chemical reactions leading to histamine release
• Topical corticosteroids-nasal sprays that decrease swelling in the nasal passages

Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots) and Sublingual Therapy

With immunotherapy, very small amounts of allergens are injected over weeks, months, or even years. The goal is to make your body's immune system less sensitive to those allergens.

There's another, similar type of treatment called sublingual immunotherapy. It involves placing small amounts of allergens under the tongue. This treatment is more popular in Europe. While it has shown to reduce symptoms in some studies, more research is needed.*¹