Remedies for allergies: what are they?

Allergy remedies have been around since the time of Hippocrates. It was his observations of unusual edema in patients of noble origin that laid the foundation for studying the reaction of the body to certain types of foods. Hippocrates successfully treated his patients with similar symptoms - itching, puffiness, banal starvation and even expressed quite aggressively about food with this phrase: "A person is born healthy, but food comes to him all the diseases."

History has preserved a lot of reliable information about the famous allergies of the past. Even before the famous Greek physician, Hippocrates, the allergy was mentioned in the Egyptian scrolls, where the description of the death of the pharaoh was evident, from anaphylactic shock. Death provoked an insect bite. Ebers' papyrus contains a detailed description of the symptoms of asthma of allergic etiology, Richard III Plantagenet all his life suffered from an allergic reaction to simple strawberries. All his treatment consisted in refusing such a treat. Previously, what seems to be similar to today's allergy, was called idiosyncrasy and treated it in a simple way - excluded contact with the causative agent of the reaction. By the way, the idiosyncrasy suffered mainly people rich, noble. Those who ate simple food, rich in fiber, natural vitamins and trace elements, or did not seek medical help, or did not know what an allergy was. In any case, the story of such cases is silent, as well as about medicines for the poor people's word.

Modern medical science has learned to identify antigens that cause allergic reactions, therefore, there are also funds for allergies. It should be noted that the allergen is not always determined accurately, in such cases, symptomatic therapy is appointed, that is, one that facilitates the patient's condition and minimizes all signs of allergy for at least a certain time period. The action of antihistamines is based on their ability to block a substance that causes an inflammatory reaction - histamine. These drugs are not treated, but only temporarily neutralize the receptors. Histamine can activate two types of receptors and the choice of therapy depends on their species. H1-receptor provokes swelling, redness, itching, dyspnea. If the histamine comes into contact with the H2-receptor, the person manifests a gastric reaction - heartburn, excessive secretion of gastric juice. Often, histamine provokes asthmatic attacks and even anaphylactic shock, which is a serious threat not only to human health, but also to his life as well.

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Means from allergy: categories of preparations

Allergy drugs can be divided into two categories: drugs that affect H1 receptors and agents against H2 receptors. The drugs, which are called H2-histamine blockers, are aimed at inhibiting the secretion of hydrochloric acid, dependent on histamine. The most popular are antihistamine H1 drugs. They include dimedrol (one of the very first antihistamines), cetirizine, allergodyl, loratadine, claritin and many other H1-histaminoblockers. Inhibition of H1 receptors makes it possible to avoid bronchospasm, reduces the risk of hyperemia, reduces swelling, relieves skin itching. Indications for the appointment of H1-gistaminoblokatorov can serve all diseases, accompanied by all type I allergic reactions - from hives to anaphylactic shock. Also, antihistamines that inhibit H1 receptors are prescribed for rhinitis of allergic etiology, angioedema, eczema, reactions to transfusion of donor blood, allergies to medicines. The sedative properties of these drugs make it possible to use them as hypnotics, with nausea and vomiting, kinetosis (seasickness). Some drugs in this group may have a mild anesthetic effect (diphenhydramine and promethazine). Overdose of antihistamines, which suppress H1 receptors, is fraught with serious consequences, up to seizures. Signs of overdose can be excessive drowsiness, dry mouth sensation, dystonia of the muscles, individually - increased excitability, insomnia. Also frequent symptoms of overdose are stool disorders, tachycardia, increased intraocular pressure. In severe cases, intoxication causes hallucinations and even to whom. That is why, despite the active promotion of some antihistamines, they should be taken only for the purpose of an allergist, observe the dosage and the regimen.

Allergy remedies that block H1 receptors are of different generations - I, II and III generations, which indicates a constant improvement of pharmacological agents against allergies. With each new generation, medicines are becoming safer and have a minimum of contraindications.

Preparations are divided according to the method of application:

1. Oral H-histaminoblockers. Preparations of symptomatic treatment, which are good for removing the first symptoms of an allergic reaction, but are ineffective with bronchial spasm or with a sharp fall in blood pressure. Preparations start to act quickly enough, the effect comes after 10-15 minutes, the main effect in an hour. The blocking of H1-receptors lasts from 4 to 6 hours. 
2. Intranasal preparations. As a symptomatic therapy for allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, these drugs are quite effective. Often used in conjunction with oral medications. 
3. Preparations of external action, ointments. As a rule, these are glucocorticoids, which remove itching, eliminate edema, hyperemia.

Funds from allergies, except for the above drugs, can also be homeopathic. Also in the antiallergic complex sorbents, physiotherapeutic procedures and phytotherapy can be prescribed. Everything depends on the form of the disease, individual characteristics, concomitant pathologies. The main thing is to turn to an allergist in a timely manner, then it is possible not only to stop allergies, but also to warn them.