Treatments include a combination of: patient education, allergen avoidance, medications, and immunotherapy
- You can avoid the substances that cause the allergy. It may be impossible to avoid all pollen. But you can often take steps to reduce your exposure.
- You may be prescribed medicine to treat allergic rhinitis. The medicine your doctor prescribes depends on your symptoms and how severe they are. Your age and whether you have other medical conditions, such as asthma, will also be considered.
- For mild allergic rhinitis, a nasal wash can help remove mucus from the nose. You can buy a saline solution at a drug store or make one at home using 1 cup (240 milliliters) of warm water, half a teaspoon (3 grams) of salt, and pinch of baking soda.
- Medications used to treat allergic rhinitis include: intranasal corticosteroids, oral and topical antihistamines, decongestants, intranasal cromolyn (Nasalcrom), intranasal anticholinergics, and leukotriene receptor antagonists.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) involves injecting the allergen(s), causing the allergy symptoms.