The Main Treatment Options for Allergies: Antihistamines, Sprays, and Immunotherapy
- AllergyRhino
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
Short Answer:
Allergies can be managed through three main strategies — avoiding triggers, using medication, or treating the underlying cause with immunotherapy. Antihistamines and nasal sprays control symptoms effectively, while immunotherapy retrains the immune system for long-term relief.
Allergies, whether it’s hay fever from grass or tree pollen, dust mite reactions, or pet dander, can seriously affect daily life.
For some, it’s just a runny nose and a few sneezes. For others, it means blocked sinuses, itchy eyes, disrupted sleep, and fatigue that makes concentrating at work or school difficult.
The good news? We now have safe, effective treatments that help most people regain control.
Broadly, allergy management falls into three key approaches:
Avoidance
Medication
Immunotherapy
Let’s look at each in turn.
1. Allergen Avoidance
The first step is always to limit exposure to the allergen triggering your symptoms.
Practical when possible: If you’re allergic to cats or dogs, reducing exposure (keeping pets out of bedrooms, washing hands after contact) can dramatically improve symptoms.
Challenging for airborne allergens: For pollen or dust mites, total avoidance is nearly impossible. Pollen grains are microscopic and widespread during spring and summer, while dust mites thrive in bedding, carpets, and soft furnishings.
That’s why for most people, avoidance alone isn’t enough, but it’s still an important foundation.
2. Medication — Managing Symptoms Effectively
Medication remains the mainstay of allergy treatment for most people.
It doesn’t change the underlying allergy, but when taken correctly and consistently, it can keep symptoms under control.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines block histamine, the chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction.
Best for: Itchy nose, sneezing, watery eyes
Less effective for: Blocked or congested nose
Examples: Non-drowsy, long-acting options such as cetirizine, loratadine, or fexofenadine
Professor Adam Fox often reminds customers that antihistamines “are very safe and effective for mild symptoms, but they need to be taken regularly, not just when symptoms appear.”
Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays are often the most effective option for nasal blockage or congestion.
Saline sprays – Rinse allergens and pollen from the nasal passages.
Steroid sprays – Contain anti-inflammatory ingredients like fluticasone or mometasone. These are safe, widely used, and available over-the-counter for adults (GP prescription required for children).
For many, the best control comes from combining a daily antihistamine with a nasal steroid spray — taken every day, not only when symptoms are bad.
3. Immunotherapy — Treating the Root Cause
For some people, even regular medication doesn’t provide enough relief. Others simply want to stop relying on tablets and sprays long-term.
That’s where immunotherapy comes in.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy works by retraining the immune system. It exposes your body to tiny, controlled doses of the allergen — such as grass pollen or dust mite extract — to gradually reduce sensitivity.
Today’s most common and convenient form is sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT):
a daily tablet or spray placed under the tongue, absorbed safely through the mouth.
It’s a licensed, clinically proven treatment for hay fever and dust mite allergy, now recommended by allergy specialists worldwide.
Why Immunotherapy Stands Out
Unlike antihistamines or nasal sprays, which only work while you take them, immunotherapy changes how your immune system reacts.
Proven benefits: Clinical studies show immunotherapy reduces symptoms and lowers reliance on medication.
Long-term results: After a 3-year course, benefits can last for many years — even after treatment stops.
Preventative potential: Research suggests it may reduce the risk of new allergies developing and lower the chance of asthma in later life.
As Professor Fox explains:
“Immunotherapy is the only treatment that gets to the root cause of an allergy, by actually retraining your immune system. The benefits last for years beyond treatment.”
At AllergyRhino, we’ve seen firsthand how transformative this can be — helping patients move from enduring allergy season to finally enjoying it.
Putting It Together — Choosing the Right Approach
Lifestyle adjustments such as closing windows during high pollen counts, showering before bed, and using saline rinses can help — but treatment is often needed alongside these strategies.
In Summary
Allergies can affect every aspect of daily life — from sleep to concentration — but the right treatment can make a dramatic difference.
Antihistamines relieve itching and sneezing.
Nasal sprays control congestion and inflammation.
Immunotherapy retrains the immune system for lasting relief.
While avoidance and medication work well for many, immunotherapy offers a long-term, root-cause solution — giving people the freedom to live without constant worry about pollen counts or pet exposure.
Quick Answers
What’s the best treatment for hay fever?
For long-term relief, immunotherapy is the most effective treatment. Unlike antihistamines or nasal sprays, which only manage symptoms, immunotherapy re-trains your immune system to become less reactive to pollen — tackling the root cause rather than just masking it.
Do antihistamines and sprays still help?
Yes — they can ease symptoms day to day, especially when taken regularly. But they only work while you take them. Immunotherapy offers years of relief by changing how your immune system responds in the first place.
Why choose immunotherapy?
It’s clinically proven, safe for adults and children (5+), and recommended by allergy specialists for people who want more than temporary relief. Many find it life-changing, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors again without constant medication.
When should I start immunotherapy?
Treatment should start a few months before allergy season begins for the best results.