Find Out What''s up your Nose!

The use of allergy medications has benefited many people, although some products on the market are limited in their effectiveness, and what helps one person sometimes does not work as well for the next. A good air purifier in the home is a very beneficial appliance to install as it certainly helps. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) surveyed seasonal allergy sufferers to find out how satisfied they were with their current allergy medication. The 1,214 allergy patients they tested were 18 years of age or older, currently taking a prescription allergy medication to treat seasonal allergies, and were also be diagnosed with some type of seasonal allergy.

When interviewed, the majority of allergy patients knew exactly what they were looking for when it came to selecting the right allergy medication. Of the balance of those interviewed that were not sure what to check for, sixty-three percent expected it to provide long-lasting effective relief and 64% expected it to work quickly to reduce symptoms. The survey revealed that 31% were not happy with their medication, 60% were interested in finding a new type of allergy medication, and 56% were not fully satisfied because their medication did not relieve their symptoms for a long a period of time. Forty-four percent were not fully satisfied, as their medication did not provide symptom relief quickly enough which needed to be within 30 minutes.

A total of 42% were confused by the different prescription allergy medications on the market and 59% wished they were more informed when it came to different types of prescription medications. Twenty percent of those that consulted a doctor were not fully satisfied, 48% said their doctor didn't spend enough time talking to them about their problem, and 40% said their doctor only prescribed certain types of medications. The survey resulted in a need for allergy patients to become more knowledgeable about their specific allergy and their treatment options.

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What is an allergy?

A major defence mounted by the body's immune system against normally harmless substances, or allergens, such as chemicals in pollen, food, bee stings, animal dander, or dust. An allergic reaction is the body's strong reaction to these substances in a person who is sensitive to them. Reactions range from mild to severe, and may include sneezing, a rash, or difficulty breathing (which can be fatal). Allergens trigger allergic reactions in people with allergies.
A condition in which the body has an exaggerated response to a substance (eg food or drug). Also known as hypersensitivity.
When a person is very sensitive to certain foods, liquids, pollen, or animals. The allergy can make the person ill, including sneezing, itching, and rashes. Severe allergies can even be fatal (cause death). Some organisms which cause uncomfortable allergies with people include Ragweed (pollen), Poison Ivy (oil), and Honey Bees (venom).