Experts Warn Against Alternative Treatment Methods for Allergies

Filed in archive Allergy: Diagnostics and Treatment on March 27, 2007

From the comments some of you leave here at Allergizer, I know that a number of you undergo alternative treatments for your allergies-- acupuncture, dietary supplements, herbal remedies and such. However, medical experts warn patients regarding totally abandoning their regular or traditional medications in favor of such alternative treatment methods.

"Anyone with moderate to severe allergies and asthma should absolutely remain on standard, conventional forms of medication. Asthma in particular is a potentially life-threatening condition, especially in children," said Barak Gaster, associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington.

I guess, it's a case-to-case basis, depending on the severity of your asthma, allergies. Best to remin on medication, and look at alternative medicine as a supplementary method. And whether you decide to go for alternative treatments, it is best o let your allergist or doctor know your plans. While they may scoff at its efficacy, you'll need to know whether those treatments, particularly in the case of dietary/herbal supplements might interfere with your medications.