Is There Any Help for Allergies?

QUESTION: I am sure that as the season advances, you will be swamped by
letters about allergies. Mine are racing away, and it's still early. Can you
tell me if there is any help for us?
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ANSWER: Of course there is. There are new methods of diagnosing and treating
allergies being developed all the time. Allergies vary widely in the way they
affect people, and many of them are hard to diagnose exactly. The allergy
sufferer who works closely with the doctor to diagnose and treat the allergy
will have the best chance of being helped.
A complete allergy history is still the most important part of finding
the culprit in an allergy problem. In addition to allergy history, a direct
skin test is a reliable, accurate and cost-effective way to test for allergic
reactions to specific products. In vitro tests, called radioallergosorbent
tests (called RAST for short), are run on a blood sample instead of on the
skin. RAST can cost a bit more initially, but it is useful for patients who
have skin infections or who are overly anxious about skin testing, and can
offer another method by which a diagnosis can be obtained. Other tests are
available to supplement direct skin testing and RAST.
The ideal treatment for allergy sufferers is to avoid the substances that
cause them problems. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Treatment
for allergy sufferers usually involves avoiding the allergen when possible and
taking medication to alleviate symptoms. New antihistamines, called "third
generation H1 antagonists," are very helpful in controlling allergy symptoms.
They don't have the old familiar side effects of drowsiness and
incoordination, and they control the watery, itchy nose and eyes of most
allergy sufferers. The medications work best when they are taken regularly
instead of only when the symptoms are present.
In people whose allergies are severe, sometimes a treatment called
immunotherapy is helpful. Immunotherapy is a process where small doses of the
allergen are given to the patient in an effort to create an immunity to it.
It may offer relief to people who suffer from asthma and respiratory
allergies. Immunotherapy is not helpful to people with rashes. It is most
effective in people who are allergic to house dust, pollen and mold, but it is
reserved for people whose symptoms are severe and who cannot be helped with
other therapy.