Editing Allergen (section)

=== Treatment ===
Treatment includes [[over-the-counter medication]]s, [[antihistamines]], [[nasal decongestants]], [[allergy shots]], and [[alternative medicine]]. In the case of nasal symptoms, antihistamines are normally the first option. They may be taken together with [[pseudoephedrine]] to help relieve a stuffy nose and they can stop the itching and sneezing. Over-the-counter options include [[clemastine]]. However, these antihistamines may cause extreme drowsiness, therefore, people are advised to not operate heavy machinery or drive while taking this kind of medication. Other side effects include [[dry mouth]], [[blurred vision]], [[constipation]], [[Dysuria|difficulty with urination]], confusion, and [[lightheadedness]].<ref name="PDR">{{cite web|url=http://www.pdrhealth.com/disease/disease-mono.aspx?contentFileName=BHG01AL10.xml&contentName=Seasonal+allergies&contentId=134&sectionMonograph=ht4 |title=Seasonal Allergies | work = Physician's Desk Reference |access-date=9 April 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100415194735/http://www.pdrhealth.com/disease/disease-mono.aspx?contentFileName=BHG01AL10.xml&contentName=Seasonal+allergies&contentId=134&sectionMonograph=ht4| archive-date= 15 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> There is also a newer second generation of antihistamines that are generally classified as [[non-sedating antihistamines]] or anti-drowsy, which include [[cetirizine]], [[loratadine]], and [[fexofenadine]].<ref name="Hay Fever Pharmacy">{{cite web |url=http://www.hayfeverpharmacy.co.nz/products/antihistamine-tablets |title=Non-Sedating or Anti-Drowsy Antihistamine Tablets | work = Hayfever Pharmacy | location = New Zealand |access-date=9 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411083410/http://www.hayfeverpharmacy.co.nz/products/antihistamine-tablets |archive-date=11 April 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

An example of nasal decongestants is pseudoephedrine and its side-effects include [[insomnia]], [[anxiety (mood)|restlessness]], and difficulty urinating. Some other [[nasal spray]]s are available by prescription, including [[azelastine]] and [[ipratropium bromide]]. Some of their side-effects include drowsiness. For eye symptoms, it is important to first bathe the eyes with plain eyewash to reduce irritation. People should not wear [[contact lenses]] during episodes of [[conjunctivitis]].

[[Allergen immunotherapy]] treatment involves administering doses of allergens to accustom the body to induce specific long-term tolerance.<ref>Van Overtvelt L. et al. Immune mechanisms of allergen-specific sublingual immunotherapy. Revue française d'allergologie et d'immunologie clinique. 2006; 46: 713–720.</ref> Allergy immunotherapy can be administered orally (as [[sublingual tablets]] or sublingual drops), or by injections under the skin ([[Subcutaneous administration|subcutaneous]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) in Practice - FoodAllergy.org |url=https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/oral-immunotherapy-oit-practice |access-date=2024-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303043507/https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/oral-immunotherapy-oit-practice |archive-date=3 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Allergy Shots (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy) {{!}} Allergy Treatment |url=https://acaai.org/allergies/management-treatment/allergy-immunotherapy/allergy-shots/ |access-date=2024-03-03 | work = American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) |language=en-US}}</ref> Immunotherapy contains a small amount of the substance that triggers the allergic reactions.<ref name="Mayo Clinic">{{cite web|url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-shots/MY01158 |title=Allergy shots | work = Mayo Clinic |access-date=9 April 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100422142754/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-shots/MY01158| archive-date= 22 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Gradual introduction is also used for egg and milk allergies as a home-based therapy mainly for children.<ref name="Dietary Advancement Therapy Using M">{{cite journal | vauthors = Gallagher A, Cronin C, Heng TA, McKiernan A, Tobin C, Flores L, McGinley AM, Loughnane C, Velasco R, O'B Hourihane J, Trujillo J | title = Dietary Advancement Therapy Using Milk and Egg Ladders Among Children With a History of Anaphylaxis | journal = The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In Practice | volume = 12 | issue = 8 | pages = 2135–2143 | date = August 2024 | pmid = 38729302 | doi = 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.04.057 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Chomyn A, Chan ES, Yeung J, Vander Leek TK, Williams BA, Soller L, Abrams EM, Mak R, Wong T | title = Canadian food ladders for dietary advancement in children with IgE-mediated allergy to milk and/or egg | journal = Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology | volume = 17 | issue = 1 | pages = 83 | date = August 2021 | pmid = 34353372 | pmc = 8340453 | doi = 10.1186/s13223-021-00583-w | doi-access = free }}</ref> Such methods cited in the UK involve the gradual introduction of the allergen in a cooked form where the protein allergenicity has been reduced to become less potent.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bloom KA, Huang FR, Bencharitiwong R, Bardina L, Ross A, Sampson HA, Nowak-Węgrzyn A | title = Effect of heat treatment on milk and egg proteins allergenicity | journal = Pediatric Allergy and Immunology | volume = 25 | issue = 8 | pages = 740–746 | date = December 2014 | pmid = 25251921 | doi = 10.1111/pai.12283 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Shin M, Han Y, Ahn K | title = The influence of the time and temperature of heat treatment on the allergenicity of egg white proteins | language = English | journal = Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research | volume = 5 | issue = 2 | pages = 96–101 | date = March 2013 | pmid = 23450247 | pmc = 3579098 | doi = 10.4168/aair.2013.5.2.96 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cronin C, McGinley AM, Flores L, McKiernan A, Velasco R, O'B Hourihane J, Trujillo J | title = Primary care as a setting for introducing milk using the milk ladder in children with IgE-mediated cow's milk protein allergy | journal = Clinical and Translational Allergy | volume = 13 | issue = 7 | pages = e12286 | date = July 2023 | pmid = 37488730 | pmc = 10351366 | doi = 10.1002/clt2.12286 }}</ref> By reintroducing the allergen from a fully cooked, usually baked, state, research suggests that a tolerance can emerge to certain egg and milk allergies under the supervision of a [[dietitian]] or specialist.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cotter S, Lad D, Byrne A, Hourihane JO | title = Home-based graded exposure to egg to treat egg allergy | journal = Clinical and Translational Allergy | volume = 11 | issue = 8 | pages = e12068 | date = October 2021 | pmid = 34667590 | pmc = 8506942 | doi = 10.1002/clt2.12068 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Venter C, Meyer R, Ebisawa M, Athanasopoulou P, Mack DP | title = Food allergen ladders: A need for standardization | journal = Pediatric Allergy and Immunology | volume = 33 | issue = 1 | pages = e13714 | date = January 2022 | pmid = 34882843 | doi = 10.1111/pai.13714 | veditors = Eigenmann PA }}</ref><ref name="Dietary Advancement Therapy Using M"/> The suitability of this treatment is debated between British and North American experts.<ref name="Dietary Advancement Therapy Using M"/>