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What are Allergy Shots?

Posted on July 30, 2007 in Latest News

It is not possible to avoid various allergens present in the atmosphere. However, some people continue to suffer allergies for years together, impairing their quality of life. Anti histamines and nasal sprays, provide only temporary relief and are not prophylactic. For such people allergy shots or Immunotherapy is the only solution.

Allergy shots are especially useful in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and the treatment takes a few years with long lasting relief. The procedure involves giving the person minute doses of the antigen to which he is allergic. The body then becomes used to increasing doses of the antigen and this is the process of desensitization. Consequently, the body will not respond adversely when exposed to this antigen in the future and the white blood cells will produce less IgE. This results in a marked reduction in the symptoms of the allergic reaction. Only a trained allergist must conduct this desensitization. Allergy shots may not work for everyone but does help reduce the allergy medication in a number of patients.

Who can take allergy shots

People suffering from hay fever, conjunctivitis or insect allergy can take allergy shots. Those who experience serious side effects from allergy medicines can take allergy shots. These shots are suitable for adults and children above the age of five years. Patients of asthma, heart disease, blood pressure, and glaucoma must not take allergy shots.

The allergy shots regimen

• Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take before starting allergy shots. Include vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements as well as any known sources of allergy. Women planning a pregnancy or those pregnant must shift this therapy to a later date.
• The doctor will first conduct a physical evaluation and ask you questions related to your lifestyle, food habits, type, and frequency of allergy and symptoms. He will conduct detailed tests to pinpoint the exact allergen. Then he will give allergy shots for the specified allergen.
• He will give minute amounts of the allergen extracts using very fine needles sub-cutaneously. This is an almost painless process and the doctor will not continue the treatment if you develop severe allergic reaction during this procedure.
• The initial treatment includes shots administered once or twice a week. Then it reduces to monthly shots after six months and the treatment continues for about five years. The desensitization process takes six months and the entire therapy takes three to five years to be effective.
• You must have patience as the rewards leave you allergy free for the rest of your life. The doctor monitors you during this time to determine the effects of the therapy and to rule out the development of any other allergies.

Allergy shots work for you if you complete the entire course of the treatment and avoid allergens. They may have minor side effects like redness in the area of the injection. Systemic reactions may include itching, stuffy nose, and sneezing. In the worst case, some people may develop a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. The person becomes breathless with falling blood pressure and an increased heart rate. This requires immediate hospitalization else the person may die. Therefore keep your doctor informed at all times for any signs of an allergic reaction or go to the hospital yourself at the first signs of an allergic reaction

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