Can Prednisone Help Treat Allergies?

Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid medication used to inhibit or prevent the activity of the immune system. This drug affects virtually all of the immune system. It is used to treat inflammatory diseases and cancers (if given in higher doses), but normally provides adverse effects. It can be administered intravenously or delivered by intramuscular injection. Prednisone can also be taken orally. It takes an inactive form when first taken, and then the liver converts it into prednisolone, a type of drug with excellent anti-inflammatory properties used to treat auto-immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, uveitis, etc.

Prednisone can also be used to treat severe allergies. It is not however, a standard medication to treat allergies in general. Prednisone is normally prescribed in short (a week to 10 day) bursts for people who are already suffering serious allergic reactions, which is causing them significant inflammation of either the sinuses or the lungs. Some doctors would prescribe this drug for people with serious allergies who have already taken the other treatment options, but still having trouble staying out of the emergency room. In other words, this medicine is only used as a last resort for those suffering from adverse reactions from allergies. Ti should not be taken at the onset of the allergy itself.