Dealing With Multiple Allergies

Some people seem destine to sneeze , itch and struggle through life with multiple allergies while others may have only an occesional allergy .  Why ?

It could be in your genes . We know that children can inherit a tendency to develop allergies . Clifford W. Bassett , MD , a New York-based allergist , says if both parents have allergies , their child most likely will develoed allergies too . "People with allergic background may have food allergies , respiratory allergies and sinus problems , " says Dr. Bassett , a clinical isstructor in the division of infectious diseases and immunology at the New York University School of Medicine . "Some people may have all of the above.

Diagnosing Multiple Allergies is a Challenge :

"We evaluate all parts of the problems." Bassett says . "We do a food elimination test if we need to . If it's skin allergy , we look at that  [by] doing allergy patch tests."   He also conducts a  challenge test, which means exposing you , by food or inhalation , to the Suspected allergen at the doctors' office.

Drugs for Multiple Allergies :

What Bassett says he tries to do for people with multiple allergies is give them the right drug at the right time  and at the lowest dosage possile . Once your doctor has pinpointed the substances causing your multiple , treatments can include ;

Antihistamines : Which are available  in both sort-acting and longer-acting versions.

Nasal sprays :Including corticosteriods such as fluticasone  (Flonase) and mometasone furoate (Nasonex), antihistamines such as azelastine nasal (Astelin) or cromolyn nasel (NasalCrom).

Decongestants : Which can relieve your stuffy nose . Nasal spray decongestants can become addictive , though, so a pill form might be a better option, Bassett says.

Leukotriene inhibitors : Such as montelekast (Singulair) , which actually block the substances that trigger allergies . Bassett says this drug can damp down certain symptoms , but it's mainly indicated for seasonal allergies and sinus problems.

Immunotherapy : Which might be the answer if nothing else works.

Most people who get allegry shots for two or four years can discontinue them after a period of maintenance  is achieved , if you do the regimen properly , you get long term benifits , Bassett says . "It's the closest thing to a cure we have."

Treatment fo Multiple Allergies : Take a Holiday

After you've been on a medication for a period of time and seem to be  sympton-free , Bassett prescribes a drug holiday.

"We'll cut back to see if there's a recurrence of symptoms," he says  . "It makes sense to reduce the medications once in a while because a person with multiple allergies is a moving target."

If symptoms don't return after a drug holiday , you may become free of multiple allergies.

Multiple Allergies : Other Strateges for  Coping

Modify your routine:Stay away from your allergy triggers , as best as you can. If you know what triggers your allergy symptoms , then do what you you need to do to avoid those allergens.

Clean up the air : Consider purchasing an air purifier to rid  indoor air  of potential allergens . Also , if you suffer from seasonal allergies , keep the windows closed and the air conditioning running to minimize the amount  of allergen that enters your home.

Use the Internet :If you have food allergies , the internet can be a great  source of information . You can find recipes that cater to your particular food allergy as well as lists of great food substitutes and instructions for substitutions in recipes .

But regardless of why they vary , allergies are no fun . If you have multiple allergies , make sure you keep regular appointments with your allergist.