Allergy treatment: glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines

Treatment of allergies is not an easy process, but it can be completely cured, provided that the moment of treatment initiation was not missed, the treatment methods were chosen correctly, all measures to achieve a positive result were strictly followed, and no errors were allowed in either the diet or the timing of taking medications. Treatment of any disease, especially if it is already very advanced, always requires a lot of time, effort and financial costs.

Allergic manifestations, even if they are not very pronounced, are debilitating for the body. In order to overcome allergies, it is necessary to adhere to several directions in therapeutic measures. Treatment of allergies can be conditionally divided into several stages.

First, you need to stop the allergen from entering the body or eliminate contact with it.

Secondly, select the right medication in the right dosage to eliminate allergic symptoms, allowing you to stop acute attacks and maintain normal functioning of the body during periods of remission.

Thirdly, a comprehensive approach to eliminating side effects and symptoms of concomitant diseases.

Fourthly, general strengthening activities, measures and procedures to strengthen the immune and other vital systems of the body.

Fifthly, constant health monitoring by visiting a doctor and performing a number of diagnostic procedures for preventive purposes.

Antihistamines

This is probably the most well-known group of drugs after antibiotics. Antihistamines, by now, already represent drugs of three generations. The first generation of antihistamines has been known and used for a long time, but their effectiveness is not as high as that of subsequent generations. The first generation of drugs include Diazolin, Tavegil, Suprastin, and Diphenhydramine. Many are probably familiar with the side effects of these drugs, due to which, for example, Diphenhydramine was banned from sale without a prescription, and recently there has been talk of completely stopping the production of this drug. The fact is that increased drowsiness, which is one of the main side effects of drugs of this generation, with an increase in the dose of the drug, in the case of diphenhydramine, can turn into increased excitability with the appearance of hallucinations.

With other drugs of this group, drowsiness, itching, nausea, when increasing the dose of the drug, can also develop into increased excitability with manifestations of hypertension attacks. Therefore, treatment of allergies with first-generation drugs should be started only in cases where there are contraindications to other groups of drugs, or their use as additional means in general, complex treatment, in strictly limited doses.

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Glucocorticosteroids

A medicinal group of drugs with a powerful antiallergic effect, better known to a wide range of people under the general name of "hormonal drugs". Their prescription and use should only be done with the permission and under the supervision of a doctor. They are available in several forms - as injections, tablets, ointments, as part of inhalations. Injections have an immediate effect and are used to relieve acute attacks, for example, Quincke's edema, attacks of bronchial asthma or anaphylactic shock. Injections of drugs from the corticosteroid group are also used in advanced, chronic stages of allergy, in complex cross-allergic reactions. Treatment of allergies with tablet forms of corticosteroids is prescribed for long-term and severe cases that are not relieved by other, milder drugs or previously prescribed antihistamine therapy did not bring the desired effect.

Glucocorticosteroids do have a hormonal basis, so side effects with incorrect dosage, long-term use, longer than the maximum permitted period, can cause considerable harm. That is why it is worth taking this category of drugs seriously. Experiments with self-medication are not appropriate here. Consulting a doctor will reduce the risk of various side effects to a minimum. Although modern corticosteroid generations of drugs are considered to be extremely safe, individual reactions of the body to taking these drugs should not be ruled out.

Violation of the terms of taking this group of drugs, incorrect dosage or individual intolerance to such drugs can cause complications of the following nature:

• diabetes mellitus;
• ulcerative colitis;
• rapid, unjustified weight gain (steroid obesity);
• development of hypertension;
• loss of vision.

The duration of the course of treatment with corticosteroids should not exceed one week, this is the maximum permitted period during which the development of complications and the appearance of side effects are minimal. Thus, drugs of this group can be called a "rapid response group", after the action of which, further treatment of allergies is based on more gentle means.

Sorbents

One of the popular drugs that is often used in everyday life to relieve many symptoms is activated carbon. Of course, none of the sorbents have direct anti-allergenic properties, but with their active support, the allergen and toxins are quickly removed, the formation of which is an integral part of the course of allergic reactions. Sorbents, as it were, "suck in" harmful substances and, not allowing them to spread with the bloodstream throughout the body, remove them through the digestive tract. With the support of sorbents, allergy treatment will be more effective.

The group of sorbents is quite wide, but, in addition to activated carbon, for example, we can also name "Laktafiltrum", "Enterosgel", "Filtrum". Preparations from the sorbent group are dispensed without special prescriptions and will not cause harm when used independently. But still, you should trust the prescription of such drugs to a doctor in order to avoid unnecessary intervention in your body, because taking sorbents may simply be inappropriate, at best, and at worst, it will lead to a decrease in the anti-allergic effect of the main anti-allergic drugs, "filtering" them along with toxins, before the therapeutic effect occurs.

Allergen tolerance development – SIT therapy

Today, the most effective method of treating allergies and allergic attacks, especially bronchial asthma. The essence of the therapy is that the body is gradually accustomed to the action of the main allergen, which provokes attacks. In the stages of remission, small doses of the allergen are introduced into the body by injection. It is necessary to carry out a certain number of injections, the so-called course of treatment, and with each injection the dose of the allergen increases. Thus, the body develops a habituation to the irritant and the allergic reaction to it gradually decreases, until it stops completely. The process of habituation is called "tolerance". As soon as tolerance to the allergen is achieved and its stability is observed, the course of treatment is stopped.

It can be quite difficult to achieve tolerance to an allergen from the first course of treatment. You should be prepared for the fact that such therapy will have to be carried out several seasons in a row, as a rule, the autumn or winter period is chosen for this, in which allergic exacerbations rarely occur.

Treatment of allergies by SIT therapy is possible only with the participation of an allergist, in an allergology room, with special equipment. The success of the treatment course depends on the stage of development of the allergy, the earlier its signs were noticed and the faster therapeutic measures were taken, the higher the chance of a quick recovery.

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The effectiveness of plasmapheresis in the treatment of allergies

Plasmapheresis can be prescribed as an independent method of treating allergies, or as a component of a full course of anti-allergy therapy. The use of plasmapheresis is advisable in severe cases of allergic attacks or in complex and chronic manifestations of this disease. The principle of plasmapheresis is that part of the plasma is removed from the body, replacing it with special plasma-substituting solutions. Blood plasma contains all the necessary active biological substances, including the accumulation of most of the allergen and all toxic substances. Blood plasma "purified" after plasmapheresis brings visible relief by relieving allergy attacks. The procedure is carried out under the supervision of medical personnel in specialized medical offices.

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Quantum healing method

Modern technology, with the active support of sciences of various directions, has given doctors new, highly effective methods of treating many diseases. One of these methods is VLOC - intravenous laser blood purification. The method is completely new, but has already shown excellent results. Treatment of allergies by VLOC is advisable at any stage, any of its types and forms of manifestation. The procedure involves the intravenous introduction of a special intravenous catheter made of fiber optics, through which a laser pulse with certain specified characteristics and parameters enters the blood. Laser radiation has a detrimental effect on most allergens entering the blood, as well as on a number of microorganisms and bacteria that participate in inflammatory processes. Based on this, VLOC will be effective in the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases.

Despite its high efficiency, the method has some limitations and contraindications, so the possibility of its use in each specific situation should be discussed with the attending physician.

Folk remedies for allergies

Traditional medicine is rich in various methods of treating most known diseases. Allergy is considered a disease of the twenty-first century, and therefore, complex, comprehensive treatment of allergies with folk remedies is almost impossible. There are many folk remedies, using which, you can temporarily eliminate one or more symptoms of allergy, for example, reduce skin itching or reduce the severity of rash. But the root cause cannot be eliminated. In addition, passion for traditional medicine in case of allergy can lead to a cross-reaction, when the body has not one, but several simultaneously potent allergens.

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Homeopathic treatment of allergies

This is one of the alternative methods of treating the underlying cause of an allergic reaction, which is currently becoming more widespread, as is the method of desensitization, which is based on a similar principle - treating like with like.

Homeopathic treatment of allergies involves a very long course, which lasts at least one year. Prescribing homeopathy is more effective outside the allergy season, the drugs are selected strictly individually after undergoing specific homeopathic diagnostics.

Home Allergy Treatment

Treatment of allergies at home is maximum avoidance of provoking allergens, that is, elimination.

Treating allergies at home is quite acceptable, especially if the allergy sufferer already has a history of the disease and a certain treatment regimen prescribed by a doctor and tested by experience. First of all, maintaining home hygiene, airing, wet cleaning, and eliminating chemical and synthetic substances from everyday life. An allergy sufferer should always have antihistamines on hand to help stop an allergic reaction. Methods and ways of treating allergies include following a certain diet and following healthy lifestyle rules.

New methods of treating allergies

New methods of treating allergies inevitably appear every decade, as almost all the outstanding immunologists, biologists, geneticists and allergists join the fight against this problem of the century.

New methods of treating allergies are most often a modification of desensitization, these include allergen-specific immunotherapy, autolymphocyte therapy for polyvalent allergies (cross-allergies). Not so long ago, allergic asthma attacks have been learned to be stopped and stable remission achieved with the help of nebulizer therapy, allergy therapy with plasmapheresis, laser blood irradiation (ILBI), TES therapy (stimulation of endorphin production) is effective.

Sanatoriums for the treatment of allergies

This is a great opportunity, if not to cure allergies completely, then at least to achieve a stable remission, which sometimes lasts for many years.

Sanatoriums for the treatment of allergies are usually located in areas with a mild, humid climate, have healing natural water sources, salt caves, etc. All sanatoriums that belong to the allergological profile suggest complex course therapy, which includes not only symptomatic methods, but also detoxification procedures, physiotherapy, inhalations, balneotherapy, therapeutic physical training and psychotherapy.

As the practice of allergists shows, allergy treatment carried out at home with incorrect methods, chaotic doses and not always useful means leads to a decrease in the effect of subsequent complex treatment and a prolongation of the allergic process for a long period.