Sinus Allergy Treatments

Sinus allergies cause stuffed noses, itchy eyes, sinus headaches, sneezing, coughing and sore throats. Often, sinus allergies are also called hay fever or seasonal allergies. Modern medicine has led to the invention of many prescription and non-prescription treatments for sinus allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines

• Antihistamines are prescription and non-prescription medications that treat sinus allergies by blocking histamines released by the immune system, therefore preventing the onset of sinus-allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can be used in the treatment of those symptoms, as well as other allergic reactions, such as bee stings. Antihistamines may be found in the form of capsules, pills, injections, drinkable liquid, nasal spray and eyedrops.

Corticosteroids

• Corticosteroids are a type of hormone found in steroids. They are produced naturally in the human body for use by its different systems. When they are used for sinus allergy treatment, the excess corticosteroids in our bodies work to suppress the immune system in its natural response to an allergen. Corticosteroids are both non-prescription and prescription medications that can be found in the form of creams, nasal sprays, eyedrops and inhalants. Hydrocortisone cream is a more familiar name for corticosteroids in cream form.

Decongestants

• Decongestants are used to treat sinus allergy symptoms that affect the nose and throat; their name describes their intended purpose of unclogging these areas. Decongestants are drugs designed to restrict the blood vessels in the nose and throat in order to prevent stuffy and runny noses, sneezing, and coughing. Decongestants are most typically found in liquid and pill form and available over the counter.

Allergy Shots

• When patients suffer severe sinus allergies that make them miserable and unable to go to work or school, a doctor may decide to try allergy shots. Allergy shots are only available at an allergy clinic or doctor's office. A special blend will be made for each patient to treat his specific allergies. To determine the necessary blend, the patient will have to have an allergy test; once the allergies are determined, the injection blend can be created. A person's allergy shot is comprised of tiny amounts of the substances she is allergic to; the purpose of these shots is to build the body's immunity to allergens.

Advice

• If sinus allergies or seasonal allergies persist and over-the-counter medications do not work to combat the symptoms, the sufferer may consider visiting his doctor. The doctor will be able to review the patient's medical history and try a new course of treatment for his sinus allergies.