Antihistamines vs. Immunotherapy: What’s Right For You?
You’re struggling through seasonal allergies and the constant itching, sneezing, and congestion that come along with it. When you start searching for ways to feel better, two options always pop up – antihistamines and immunotherapy. What do both options do, and how do you know what’s right for you? Let’s break down the difference and help you find the right path forward.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are an allergy symptom-reliever. When you breathe in an allergen and your body interprets it as harmful, it releases histamine into the bloodstream, and reactions start. Antihistamines – usually taken as a pill or liquid form, for young children – combats histamine, and reduces symptoms.
Depending on the antihistamine you use, they last (at most) up to a day. It’s recommended to keep taking that daily dose throughout your allergy season to help reduce symptoms.
It’s a good option for those who have minor allergies or aren’t bothered for too long throughout the year. But because it doesn’t get to the root of the problem, you’ll have to take antihistamines forever.
Immunotherapy
Unlike antihistamines, immunotherapy doesn’t relieve symptoms, it treats the cause of the underlying allergies. There are a few different forms, including allergy shots, allergy drops, and allergy tablets. They’re all slightly different, but the main goal is the same: to lessen the body’s response when exposed to problem allergens.
Small amounts of the allergens that make you sick, identified through testing, are introduced to the body through the shot, drop, or tablet. Over time, the body learns that these allergens aren’t harmful, and that it doesn’t have to react.
The different immunotherapy options are great for many people, so researching finding the right one for you is important. Ultimately, it’s a great option for those who are sick of feeling sick for months on end, and are ready for a long-term solution.
Choosing an Immunotherapy
When it comes to immunotherapy, Allergychoices recommends allergy drops following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol for a bunch of reasons, but the big ones being that it’s safe, effective, and can be taken from anywhere.
Safety is the bread and butter of allergy drops following The La Crosse Method. Patients undergo allergy testing, a thorough exam and history, and those elements are brought together to create a dose custom to each patient, with all offending allergens. The dose is high enough to build tolerance, but not too high to cause reactions.
If used consistently throughout the entire length of treatment, it’s very effective. The body slowly learns to not react when exposed to the offending allergens, so symptoms are reduced or eliminated entirely. The use of antihistamines and other symptom relievers is reduced, too.
The other benefit is that it can be taken wherever you are. Office visits are infrequent, and the bottle of allergy drops can be taken with you on-the-go. Three drops, twice a day, until treatment is done. If you’re ready to consider treating the cause, find a provider near you that offers testing and treatment.
