| For some in the Chicago area, allergy season means | | | | provided the other two treatments for allergies. The |
| a trip to one the various hospitals in Illinois for shots | | | | first of these is immunotherapy, more commonly |
| and more. The three recommended treatments | | | | known as allergy shots. This is most commonly used |
| include avoidance, immunotherapy and medication. | | | | for patients with hay fever and/or asthma. Some of |
| The first of these, avoidance, is up to the patient. | | | | these are provided in centers for home health care in |
| The experts recommend the following suggestions to | | | | Illinois also. |
| avoid some allergens. During the pollen season when | | | | The shots include a mixture of the various pollens, |
| the pollen count is high, stay indoors as much as | | | | mold spores, animal danders and dust mites to which |
| possible. This is especially important during windy | | | | the patient is allergic. The mixture in the shot is a |
| days, which can happen frequently for those in the | | | | vaccine called an allergy extract. What it often does |
| Chicago area. | | | | is build up the immune system in the patient to fight |
| Another way to avoid some allergens is to dust | | | | off the allergens by itself. Even though these often |
| proof your home. Since you spend so much time in | | | | work, it is important to remember that you need to |
| the bedroom sleeping, it is especially important to | | | | keep taking your medication until your immune |
| dust proof that area. If possible eliminate wall-to-wall | | | | system is built up and you should continue to |
| carpeting, Venetian blinds, down-filled blankets or | | | | eliminate the allergens in your home. |
| pillows and clean out closets filled with clothes. | | | | The third treatment provided by Chicago south west |
| Another way to help eliminate allergens is to wash | | | | suburbs physicians for allergies is medication. There |
| bedding, curtains and clothing often in hot water to | | | | are many effective medications that your physician |
| eliminate dust mites. Also, keep the bedding in dust | | | | can prescribe to help you during the allergy season. |
| covers when possible. | | | | Antihistamines are used to relieve the symptoms of |
| During the windy days it is recommended to use air | | | | hay fever and other allergies. Decongestants also are |
| conditioning rather than opening the windows and | | | | used to treat allergic reactions such as nasal |
| letting the allergens in. If possible consider use a | | | | congestion. |
| dehumidifier in the damp areas of the home and | | | | For those who need stronger medications based on |
| keep it clean. Use good filters with your heating and | | | | the severity of their allergic reactions there are |
| air conditioning units and change or clean them often. | | | | bronchodilators to help open the narrowed lungs and |
| If you are going to work in the yard during pollen | | | | relieve the symptoms. There are also |
| season you may consider wearing a mask over your | | | | anti-inflammatory medications to decrease the |
| mouth and nose. And the number one avoidance | | | | inflammation that occurs with asthma. The newest |
| option is to get out of town and head to the ocean | | | | kid on the block are anti-leukotrienes that help |
| during the heaviest part of the allergy season. | | | | decrease the narrowing of the lung. Be sure to |
| If these still don't keep you out of one of the | | | | consult your physician for more information before |
| hospitals in Chicago area you will probably then be | | | | taking any allergy medication. |