Cortisone for allergy

Many people associate the term cortisone with an active ingredient in medicines. However, cortisone is actually an endogenous hormone that is responsible for many vital processes in the organism and is produced in the adrenal cortex. When cortisone is mentioned in connection with medications, it usually refers to cortisone-like active ingredients, so-called synthetic glucocorticoids. Here, there are a variety of substances that differ in application and dosage.

For very severe allergy symptoms, antihistamines are often not enough. Then, preparations with cortisone-like agents are an effective alternative to treat symptoms such as itching, skin rash, hay fever,allergic conjunctivitis  and relieve asthma. This is because glucocorticoids have

• anti-allergic
• immunosuppressive
• anti-inflammatory
• pain-relieving

that is, they stop the allergic reaction by suppressing the response of the immune system  briefly suppressing it while preventing the development of inflammatory processes.

Cortisone-like agents are used in numerous different dosage forms for the local or systemic treatment of allergy symptoms. Many preparations require a prescription and are only available after a medical examination:

• nasal sprays: For allergic rhinitis, nasal sprays with active ingredients similar to cortisone can decongest the mucous membranes. This makes it easier to breathe again, and sneezing and runny nose ease.
• eyedrops: In allergic conjunctivitis, eye drops can relieve redness and itching. After only a short time, swelling of the eyelids recede.
• Asthma spray: In allergic asthma, a spray with glucocorticoids can reduce mucus production and relieve bronchial spasms.
• Ointment: Creams and ointments can be applied locally to the affected areas to relieve itching in contactallergy or sunallergy allergy.
• Tablets: If local treatment of the symptoms is not sufficient, systemic treatment by tablets or other orally administered preparations can bring the desired relief.
• Injection: A cortisone injection is intended only for emergencies, as the injection of cortisone-like agents carries certain risks. However, if shortness of breath or allergic asthma occurs, the injection combined with other measures can save lives.

Important when using cortisone preparations: Always follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Only then can the medication work optimally without causing undesirable side effects.

Allergic cough is often accompanied by shortness of breath, so it is best to consult a doctor for clarification. It may be allergic asthma, which should be treated urgently. The doctor may administer a cortisone injection to relieve the acute symptoms. Asthmatics should always carry an asthma inhaler to be able to act quickly in an emergency.

The duration of therapy with cortisone-like agents depends entirely on the drug and the dosage. In the case of hay fever or skin rash, a short-term application of nasal spray, eye drops or ointment usually shows its effect and the symptoms subside within a few days. However, there are also medications that can be used over a longer period of time. Here, however, the treatment should always take place under medical supervision to avoid side effects and consequential damage.

Many of the drugs used today to treat allergies have hardly any side effects if used correctly. Especially with short-term local use of nasal sprays or eye drops, the risk of adverse side effects is quite low. Nevertheless, high dosage or long-term use may cause the following side effects, among others:

• increased susceptibility to infections
• increased bone fragility
• hypertension
• increased diabetes
• risk. risk
• water retention in the tissues
• increased intraocular pressure
• changes in the skin
• muscle breakdown
• proneness to thrombosis
• neurological disorders
• wound healing disorders
• sleep disorders
• depression
• growth disorders in children

These side effects occur predominantly with systemic treatment. Therefore, regular monitoring by the doctor must be carried out in the case of injections or permanent intake of tablets.

Who simply discontinues his medication overnight, risks side effects such as

• fatigue
• joint pain
• nausea
• dizziness
• feeling weak

The discontinuation of cortisone preparations should therefore always be done according to the doctor's instructions, gradually reducing the dosage. This process is referred to by physicians as Ausschleichen, since cortisone-like agents can otherwise cause a cortisone deficiency in the body. This is because the adrenal cortex shuts down its own production of cortisone when glucocorticoids are taken and must first be reactivated. Gradual reduction, known as tapering of the dose, reduces the risk of adrenocortical insufficiency.