Health Topic: Focus on Allergies

by Dr. Wilbur Kuo, MD
March 11, 2016


What if the other treatments don't work?
Part 3: Special cases

Allergy shots
* Given by an allergist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician
* Only available for pollens, cat/dog dander, dust mites, molds
* Can be time consuming, usually weekly injections over several months, then monthly maintenance injections for 3-5 years
* Often reserved for people who want to minimize medication use or for whom medications do not work
* Let your allergist know if you are taking a beta-blocker (type of medication used for heart disease or high blood pressure) because it can interfere with the medications used if you have a reaction to the allergy shots

Immunotherapy pills
* Taken as a daily pill that dissolves under the tongue for several months each year
* First dose given in allergist's office
* Limited spectrum of allergies that it can treat

What can I take if I'm pregnant?
* Pregnancy itself can cause a mild rhinitis which doesn't respond to meds
* Saline sprays or irrigation
* Cromolyn nasal spray
* Rhinocort AQ
* Claritin
* Zyrtec
* Chlor-trimeton