Your Relief Blog

What Causes Nose and Eye Allergies and How To Treat Them

When you are exposed to something that you are allergic to, you may sneeze, have a runny and itchy nose, get congested, and your eyes can get red and itchy. These are responses that you can actually see, hear and feel. However, what you may not realize is how these responses are triggered from within your body through its own natural defenses. Treatment for allergies is designed to prevent your body from overreacting when you are exposed to an allergen.

Histamine…Part Of Your Body’s Defense

When exposed to a substance that your immune system mistakes as a threat, your body goes into defense mode to protect you. When you are exposed to the allergen, your immune system starts to overreact and release histamine and other substances that trigger allergy symptoms.

Histamine is a special protein that is produced then stored in basophil and mast cell granules. With allergic reactions these histamine containing granules are released into the local area (nose, eye, etc.), which causes swelling, itching, and sneezing to occur.

Blocking Histamine and Other Substances

Antihistamines are molecules that work to block the histamine from acting on your body. They help relieve allergic symptoms, including:
•   Itchy eyes
•   Runny nose
•   Sneezing
•   Hives

However, antihistamines are not always an effective treatment for allergies. They cannot block your body’s reactions to the other substances that are also produced along with histamine. This is where nasal steroids can prove to be effective in relieving allergy symptoms that are caused by both histamine and the additional substances produced by your immune system.  CLICK HERE if you need help making sense of your allergy treatment options.

For some people, taking over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroids are enough to suppress their body’s allergic reactions. However, if you are not getting the relief you need, the providers at Dakota Allergy & Asthma, including a Board Certified Allergist, are ready to help.