The Basics of Allergy Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

GILLIAN SHEPHERD, MD: The only downside is the majority of them make people sleepy, because those antihistamines over-the-counter get into one's brain. And they get into the brain and bind to histamine receptors in the brain and that's what makes people sedated. The prescription antihistamine drugs are designed so they don't get into your brain, so they don't have any sedation from them.

ANNOU NCER: Recently one of these non-sedating medications was made available without a prescription.

MARJORIE SLANKARD, MD: In addition to the antihistamines, there are the decongestants. But they may be over-drying. They might contribute to blood pressure being raised. And this should, like any of these medications, really be discussed with a physician.

GILLIAN SHEPHERD, MD: Probably the mainstay of treatment for allergic noses are the steroid-based nose sprays, and there are a good ten of them nowadays. And they're all really quite similar and extremely effective.

ANNOUNCER: There is another very effective treatment option-immunotherapy.

BETH CORN, MD: Immunotherapy is just a fancy way of saying allergy shots. And allergy shots are a wonderful way to treat allergies, but it involves a time commitment. 85% of patients who get shots will feel benefit from the shots. It's weekly injections of the substance that you're allergic to. And you receive these weekly injections, every injection is a little bit more potent. And after about six to eight months, one gets up to maintenance therapy and then comes in on a monthly basis to maintain this immunity.

ANNOUNCER: In addition to taking an antihistamine, Eve gets allergy shots.

EVE RUBENSTEIN: It's working wonderfully for me. I spent so many years trying different things. And I have finally found something that really, really works for me.

ANNOUNCER: Allergy sufferers are also taught by their physicians to make their environments as allergy-free as possible.

BETH CORN, MD: Dust mites live in everyone's mattress and pillow. So what we recommend are that patients who are dust-mite allergic purchase encasements for their mattress and all the pillows on their bed to lock in the dust.

EVE RUBENSTEIN, MD: You make sure that you keep your house as dust-free as possible. Keep the rugs to a minimum. Make sure that you just have bare floors. And don't leave things lying in corners for a long time that collect dust. You just have to kind of be aware of your surroundings.

ANNOUNCER: With more awareness about allergy these days, and many treatments available, allergy sufferers can find relief from their symptoms, so they can enjoy every day, all year long.

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