Why aren't your allergies meds working any more?

It can be frustrating for allergy-sufferers when their medication stops working. However, the meds aren't to blame and there are ways to stop the allergies from returning with these tips.

• Individuals suffering from seasonal allergies often take allergy medication in order to alleviate the symptoms of runny or itchy noses, sneezing, and watery eyes.
• Allergy medications often seem to stop working after a while, leaving many wondering what to do to when symptoms return.

If you're experiencing lackluster results with your allergy medication, read on to learn why and what you can do to ease your symptoms.

You might be surprised to learn that a wide variety of allergy medications stop working in the spring after they worked well throughout the winter, and vice-versa.

• However, don't be so quick to blame your medication; the blame actually falls upon our own immune systems, and not a faulty product.
• This is because our immune system typically combats allergies by releasing histamines in order to attack something it considers a threat, such as pollen.
• Your immune system can sometimes overreact, subsequently causing your body to adapt to an antihistamine. That means that over time, you may develop an immunity to allergy medications that have worked fine for you previously, and the unfortunate result is that they simply seem to stop being effective.

Thankfully, and easy and effective way to remedy this dilemma is to try rotating your allergy medications.

• Additionally, if you have been taking a prescription allergy medication that no longer seems to be working as well as it once did, you might consider switching to a medication that is sold over-the-counter.
• However, you should also be sure to consult your physician before making such changes. Explain to your doctor why you feel the need for a change; it is possible he can prescribe you a different medication to use in rotation.

You might also consider trying allergy shots in lieu of trying new seasonal allergy medications.

Also referred to as immunotherapy, these shots help your body to develop a tolerance for specific allergens.

• The shots work by injecting a small amount of the allergens into your bloodstream. Over the course of your immunotherapy treatment, the amount of allergens in the shots is increased. Eventually, your immune system is able to develop a natural resistance to the allergens, much in the same way that the body creates an immunity to the allergy medication.
• When taking allergy shots, you will probably be directed to continue with your allergy medication, particularly at the beginning of the process. You should also keep allergy medication on hand just in case you have a reaction to the allergy shots.
• Just be sure that the medication you keep around is not one that has stopped working for your symptoms.