IV Therapy vs. Traditional Allergy Treatments

Allergies can strike at any time. An allergen triggers your immune system, causing symptoms like itching, nausea or hives. At best, allergies can be an annoyance, but at worst, they can be life-threatening. Traditional treatments range from antihistamines to allergy shots. Medications often come with unpleasant side effects. IV therapy provides an effective alternative for allergy relief. It delivers symptom-soothing ingredients straight into your bloodstream. 

Let's explore traditional allergy treatments and the advantages of IV therapy.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies occur when an irritant or allergen causes a reaction in the immune system. Your body releases histamine, which leads to allergy symptoms like congestion and sneezing. You can encounter an allergen through eating, breathing or touching it. If you experience seasonal allergies, food allergies or eczema, you're in good company. A whopping 31.8% of adults in the United States have some form of allergy. That's almost one-third of the population! 

Common Allergies

Most allergic reactions come from food, inhalants, medications or insects. Here are some common allergies and their symptoms:

• Food: Your body releases an antibody when you eat something you're allergic to. Common food allergies include peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, shellfish and tree nuts. An IgE-mediated food allergy can cause severe anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction.
• Inhalants: Breathing in certain substances can cause a reaction. Airborne allergens include pollen, pet dander (skin), dust mites, mold and cockroach parts. They can occur all year (perennial) or during certain seasons (seasonal). 
• Medications: People may be allergic to herbal or chemical medications. Antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), insulin and chemotherapy drugs are common allergy culprits. 
• Insects: Some insects inject toxic venom if they sting you. Bees, fire ants, hornets, wasps and yellow jackets can trigger allergic reactions.

Allergy Symptoms

The symptoms can vary depending on the irritant or the severity of the allergy. The following are common allergy symptoms:

• Itching all over your body (generalized pruritus) or a specific body part (localized pruritus)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Raised red bumps or blotches on your skin, known as hives
• Swelling of your mouth, throat, tongue or face
• A rash with noticeable changes in skin color or texture
• Shortness of breath

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction where the body releases shock-inducing chemicals. Signs include difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, dizziness and a sudden blood pressure drop.

What Are Traditional Allergy Treatments?

Avoiding allergens completely can be challenging. Luckily, several allergy relief options are available:

Antihistamines

As the name suggests, antihistamines block histamine receptors to reduce allergy symptoms. You can get antihistamines over-the-counter (OTC) or by prescription. H1 receptor antihistamines treat allergies, while H2 antihistamines treat gastrointestinal issues. 

Unpleasant side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches and low blood pressure. 

Allergy Shots

Allergy shots inject a tiny amount of allergen to make your body more tolerant. The aim is to desensitize the immune system over time. Before treatment, you need skin or blood tests to identify the cause of the allergy. Treatment happens in two phases:

1. Buildup: The first shot has a minute amount of allergen that builds up with each shot over six to 10 months.
2. Maintenance: After developing tolerance, you receive a monthly shot for three to five years.

The injections may cause allergic reactions. Your doctor will monitor you for any adverse side effects after the shot.

Nasal Corticosteroids

Steroid medication sprayed into the nose reduces inflammation and relieves a stuffy nose. While effective for allergy relief, these sprays have unpleasant side effects, including nosebleeds, stinging and infection of the nasal passages. More severe effects include heart palpitations, migraine and vision problems. Prolonged use in children can affect growth. 

Decongestants

Allergies often cause a blocked or stuffy nose. This congestion occurs because the vessels and tissues in the nose swell in reaction to the allergen. While antihistamines decrease histamine, decongestants shrink the swollen blood vessels. 

Using decongestant nasal sprays for longer than a week can lead to a rebound effect, worsening congestion. Other side effects include headaches, dizziness, nausea and heart palpitations.

Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EpiPen)

People with severe allergies should carry an EpiPen. This injectable medication helps prevent anaphylactic shock. It's crucial to seek medical treatment even after using the EpiPen. The medication may delay symptoms, but they could come back. 

Traditional allergy medications may take time to work or have unwelcome side effects. Alternative allergy treatments, like IV therapy, offer a safer, quicker-acting option.

Why Choose IV Support for Allergies?

IV therapy eases allergy symptoms by delivering nutrients and medications into your bloodstream. Oral medications take time for your body to break down and process. Since IV fluids skip your digestive system, you experience fast relief! Health care professionals can customize treatments to address your specific needs. 

What Are the Benefits of IV Therapy for Allergies?

IV therapy stands out as a safe and effective alternative allergy treatment. Here are some benefits of IV allergy relief options: 

1. Fast Symptom Relief

IV drips deliver nutrients into the bloodstream for direct absorption. Many traditional allergy medications take time for the digestive system to process them. A typical IV treatment lasts 45 minutes to an hour, with immediate benefits.

2. Allergy-Reducing Ingredients

IV packages, such as the popular Myers' Cocktail, contain a blend of nutrients to relieve allergies:

• Vitamin C: This immune-helping, inflammation-fighting vitamin also lowers histamine levels. Studies show that vitamin C improves allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing.
• Vitamin B12: From increasing energy and supporting the immune system to enhancing brain health, this vitamin does it all!
• B complex: The eight vitamins in the B complex contribute to energy production. They also help reduce allergy-related inflammation. 
• Glutathione: Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that can lead to chronic disease. Glutathione balances antioxidant and free radical levels to reduce oxidative stress. Allergy sufferers have higher oxidative stress levels that cause inflammation. 
• Magnesium: Inflammation is a calling card for allergies. It causes swelling, decongestion, wheezing and breathing difficulties. Magnesium helps decrease inflammation and open up airways. 
• Zinc: This mineral supports immune function and lowers oxidative stress.

3. Hydration and Electrolyte Replenishing

A hydrated body is a happy body! Dehydration can increase histamine levels and worsen allergy symptoms. IV bags contain sterile water and sodium chloride to balance fluid and electrolytes. Hydration can also help flush out allergens.

4. Customizable Treatment

You are unique, and so are your allergy symptoms! IV medical professionals understand this. They offer tailored IV packages with added extras, such as:

• Benadryl: Why choose between antihistamines vs. IV therapy when you can have both? Benadryl, a potent antihistamine, can complement an allergy-relieving package like Myers' Cocktail.
• NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide): This natural coenzyme fights disease, stabilizes mood and even has anti-aging properties.
• Added vitamins: Add extra vitamins or a double dose of antioxidants for more allergy-fighting power. 

5. Ultimate Convenience

With mobile IV treatments, you can skip the hassle of getting to a health care facility. Trained medical professionals come to you at home, in the office or wherever you are. You sit back and relax, waiting for the IV to work its magic. 

6. Improves Overall Health

Besides relieving your allergy symptoms, IV therapy also helps improve your well-being. The combination of nutrients and hydration addresses allergies, amplifies energy and balances mood.

Is IV Therapy for Allergies Right for You?

Have you tried every antihistamine, nasal spray and decongestant on the market? IV therapy can provide an effective alternative to relieve allergy symptoms. Remember to consult your health care provider before trying any alternative treatments. IV therapy can complement, rather than replace, traditional remedies. 

Ease Allergy Symptoms With Mobile IV Nurses

At Mobile IV Nurses, we are passionate about our clients' health and happiness. Our medical professionals use high-quality IV packages to alleviate allergy symptoms. With locations around the U.S., we're only a call away when you need fast allergy relief. 

Browse our range of IV packages or schedule an appointment today!