Prescription Allergy Relief

Allergies occur when a person's immune system has an abnormal reaction to a generally harmless substance. When the person comes into contact with the substance, called an "allergen," his body releases chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms. Allergy medications help with allergy symptoms by reducing the body's reaction to the allergen or by blocking the chemicals that cause the reaction. You can control allergies with prescription medication, which is available in nasal sprays, pills, skin creams and shots.

Corticosteroids

• Corticosteroids help to treat and prevent inflammation by attempting to block allergic reactions. Doctors prescribe oral corticosteroids, available in pill and liquid form, to treat the most severe symptoms of allergic reactions of all types. Prednisone, Intensol and Prelone are types of prescription corticosteroids.

  Nasal corticosteroid sprays help to relieve and prevent allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal stuffiness and a runny, itchy nose. Different types of prescription nasal corticosteroid sprays include Nasonex, Flonase, Nasarel, Nasacort, Rhinocort and Beconase.

  Inhaled corticosteroids help to relieve asthma symptoms produced by allergens. Prescription inhaled corticosteroids include Azmacort, Aerobid, Pulmicort and Flovent.

  Corticosteroid eye drops help to relieve the severe allergy symptoms of itchy and watery, red eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis and hay fever. FML and Maxidex are two types of prescription corticosteroid eye drops.

  Corticosteroid skin creams such as Cortaid and Kenalog help to relieve the itching and flaking symptoms of eczema.

Antihistamines

• Antihistamines block histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by the immune system during allergic reactions. Oral antihistamines, available in liquids and pills, help to reduce allergy symptoms such as runny nose, swelling, watery and itchy eyes and hives. Some prescription oral antihistamines include Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra and Tavist.

  Antihistamine nasal sprays help to relieve sinus congestion, runny or itchy nose, sneezing and postnasal drip. Prescription antihistamine nasal sprays include Astelin, Patanase and Astepro.

  Antihistamine eye drops can help to reduce redness, itching and swollen eyes. They usually must be used often throughout the day because the effects are short-lived. Some prescription antihistamine eye drops include Albalon, Patanol and Emadine.

Leukotriene Blockers

• Leukotriene blockers block the action of leukotrienes, another group of inflammatory chemicals in the body that causes allergy symptoms. Leukotriene blockers can relieve symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing and postnasal drip. Singulair is one popular leukotriene blocker used to treat allergies, as well as to treat asthma in adults and children.

Emergency Epinephrine Shots

• Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) shots combat severe allergic reactions. Available by prescription, epinephrine is self-injected. Doctors prescribe these shots to people for whom exposure to a particular substance, such as peanuts or a bee sting, can result in anaphylactic shock, an immediate, life-threatening allergic reaction. Epinephrine can aid in slowing the allergic reaction until emergency help arrives.