Allergie treatments

[Martina]

I developed  severe ,common allergies (polline,dust mites...) when I came to the States from Italy. I have tried immunotherapy but it didn't work.The doctor told me that he had to stop giving me allergie shots after the first few months. I,m looking for alternative and effective treatments to allergies.    I have also tried antihistamine medications such as Claritin or Zyrtec without success.    
Why are my allergies really bad at nighttime?

[starion]

Dear Marina,
Of course, for allergies, avoidance is always the best  course (but not always easy or practical).  With dust mites, as I mentioned above, allergy control barriers help lots of folks, as well as laundering in very hot water at least weekly & dusting EVERYTHING often.  Food is sometimes easier to avoid (I avoid most of the things I know I'm allergic to).
The easiest way it's been explained to me is that each exposure to allergen we are sensitized to "fill up a cup" & we mainly start having symptoms & notice it when the cups starts to overflow.  If we can minimize the allergens we are exposed to, it keeps us further from the overflow level.  Thus, each little step we can take to reduce the allergens in our daily life (particularly our bedrooms), the more it helps us.
I've also found that I react to allergens more when my general health is at a lower level, so I try to keep as fit & healthy as possible.  There's lots of info about allergies at:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/medfacts.html#Allergy%20MedFacts (you can print it off your own printer).
One other thing that sometimes is overlooked for those of us with lung conditions is undiagnosed gastroesophogeal reflux disesase, GERD.  You can get more info about it at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html.
Sorry, I sure wish there were "magic cures," it would make us all so much healthier & happier!
Anyway, hope this info is helpful.  I've just started seeing a new allergist, hoping she has more answers than the one I've used & had allergy shots with for the past year.
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI

[Martina]

Dear Starion,
   Thank you very much for your information.
Do you know of any other treatment available other than allergy shots and antihistamine medications
    

[National Jewish]

Allergy symptoms are worse at different times of the day for different people. It may have to do with the time of exposure and/or to the changes in the release of chemicals in the individuals with allergy. You may want to ask your physician for inhaled nasal steroids in addition to the antihistamines. Sometimes the combination of the two will give relief when one or the other does not.

[starion]

Have you taken alllergen reduction measures like covering ALL your bedding with allergy control barriers to minimize your exposure to dust-mites?  Also, if you can have no carpet in your bedroom & have your bedroom dusted and mopped frequently, it's also helpful.  Try to minimize the amount of dust in your bedroom & wash all bedding in very hot water once a week.  If you have drapes or window coverings, please also wash them in hot water weekly.  These measures can really make a difference if you're highly allergic to dust mites.
There's more info on the www.NationalJewish.org website, particularly in their MedFacts section about allergies.
Best of luck!
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI