It can be bluntly said that allergy can not be cured in almost majority of cases. Only a small number of very fortunate people are there who have completely defeated the disease. But the symptoms can be controlled and reduced with the help of allergy medications.

There are several types of allergy medications available in the market. Some of them are easily available and you can buy them without a registered medical practitioner’s prescriptions while there are some other drugs which require a prescription to buy.

In the recent years a lot of research has been done on allergies and numerous medicines for different types of allergies have arrived in the market. It is estimated that at the moment around 50 percent of allergy victims go for prescription drugs while around 35 to 40 percent of them take over the counter medicines to get relief.

The allergy medications which are available in the market fall in two four major categories. They are

• Oral antihistamines
• Nasal sprays
• Nasal antihistamines
• Decongestants

(A) Oral Antihistamines:

These are the most common allergy medications available for a patient. Allergy symptoms in human body are induced by histamines. So the antihistamines after entering the body control the histamines and in this way reduce the allergic reactions. This is true that this kind of drugs can not offer permanent relief to the allergies but can be of great help in providing relief in the hour of need. They can relieve us from symptoms such as sneezing, cough, skin problems and others. They are especially needed in an attack of Anaphylaxis

However, antihistamine drugs also have some side effects like drowsiness and lack of attention. Hence when antihistamines are taken a patient is advised not to indulge in any activity which requires active nerves and alertness. Hence driving and physical dangerous works are strictly prohibited. But now a days some antihistamine drugs have come up on the market which causes fewer of the side effects.

(B) Nasal Antihistamines

Nasal histamines are relatively newer type of antihistamines which are administered directly into the nose and are also steroid free. It helps to ease the symptoms within 12 hours. The first allergy meditation of this kind is called Astelin.

As the medicine is directly used inside the nose it is more effective in relieving the symptoms. But it is also not side effect free. It can cause headaches and nose burning along with drowsiness and is very bitter in taste when it comes down through the nasal passage. This is mainly affective in case of allergic rhinitis.

(C) Decongestants

Allergy sufferers are at a great need if decongestant to relieve them of nasal blockages. In cases of sinus swelling and post nasal drip the patient may experience extreme discomforts and it may hamper his sleep and day to day activities. Here decongestants help .There are a large number of decongestants available on the market of which some of them are prescription drugs while others can be bought without a prescription. The decongestants are available in tablets sprays and in drops.

Decongestants are used mainly in cases of seasonal allergies which affect our respiratory apparatus. But they are also helpful in treating chronic problems of sinusitis and other nasal infections. Like other allergy medications decongestants can also have side effects like insomnia, headache and high blood pressure.

(D) Nasal sprays (non steroid and steroid)

There are two types of nasal sprays available for the relief of allergic symptoms. One is steroid free and the other one contains steroid. The foremost nasal spry which is free of steroid is called Cromolyn Sodium and is very effective with the allergy symptoms. As it does not contain steroid it is also prescribed to pregnant women. This type of steroid free nasal sprays is available in the form of non prescription medicines as well as prescription ones.

There is another type of nasal spray which contains steroid. This type is found to be more effective compared to the former and are effective in a large number of symptoms such as post nasal drip nasal congestion, sneezing and many others. However the risk of side effects are also more in this type of allergy medication and the reactions after the spray has been administered should be monitored very carefully.