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Lundgren, Linnea, and Jeff Wald. "Allergy Treatment Basics." 03 May 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/allergy-treatments-ga.htm> 17 May 2008.
by Linnea Lundgren and Jeff Wald, MD
Inside This Article
Allergy Shots
Immunotherapy, also called allergy shots, desensitization therapy, and hyposensitization therapy, is the only allergy treatment that can decrease your long-term sensitivities to allergens. The concept is based on the same principle as immunizations, such as those for the flu or polio. Small, steady doses of an allergen or allergens are introduced into the body so that you can develop a tolerance to it. The injections lead to the development of a protective immune response both by increasing the suppressor T cells and by increasing the protective, or "blocking," antibodies. The more tolerant the body becomes, the fewer symptoms you will have. The good news is that immunotherapy ultimately provides meaningful improvement in up to 90 percent of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and in 70 to 80 percent with perennial allergic rhinitis.
Serums Are Made |
Does your medicine cabinet resemble a drugstore? Does your drippy nose douse the flames of passion? Do you feel tired 24/7? If allergy medications aren't effective, or aren't effective enough, at controlling your symptoms, ask your doctor about immunotherapy, or allergy desensitization. Allergy shots have been shown to prevent development of new allergies and reduce the likelihood of developing asthma from 58 percent to less than 23 percent in children with allergic rhinitis. Allergy shots can make a tremendous difference in your life. Coupled with environmental control, allergy shots can both decrease your symptoms and help you get better control over allergies.
Allergy shots are suggested when:
- There is an incomplete response to medications.
- There are unacceptable side effects from medications.
- Avoidance is impractical.
- There is a desire to decrease long-term use of medications, such as in a child or in a woman who may wish to get pregnant a few years down the road.
- They may prevent the development of additional allergies or related health problems. In children, allergy shots have been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing asthma.
Why There Are No Allergists don't allow patients to self-administer allergy shots because of the risk of anaphylactic shock, a serious and potentially fatal reaction. Also, home-based patients prone to procrastination may not stick to the prescribed treatment schedule, resulting in complications. Even if your family member is a nurse or doctor, they may not have the equipment necessary to treat a life-threatening reaction at home.
Home Allergy Shots
Most extracts are for airborne allergens, such as pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander, and for insect-sting allergies. (Desensitization therapy targeting insect-sting allergies is called venom immunotherapy.) There are no FDA-approved extracts for food allergies or latex allergies and few for chemical allergies.
The Pros and Cons
As with any medical treatment, immunotherapy has advantages and disadvantages. It's best to examine both before, shall we say, taking a shot at it.
- Immunotherapy is the only allergy treatment that alters immune system reactions and can have lasting benefits.
- Allergy shots, taken on a regular schedule, help relieve symptoms, especially for those suffering from airborne and perennial allergies.
- Immunotherapy is a well-established and effective treatment that has been used since the early 1900s. It is constantly advancing and improving. For example, 20 years ago extracts contained little or no dust-mite allergens. Now they do.
- Allergy extracts are not physiologically addictive.
- Many patients find relief after three to six months of treatment.
- Shots are safe. They may be given to children and pregnant women, although shots should not be started during pregnancy. Following an injection, patients are monitored at the doctor's office for any reactions.
Allergy Shots Any woman who is pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should always consult the doctor before starting or continuing an allergy-treatment program. With that said, many pregnant women will be happy to know that pregnancy and immunotherapy are usually compatible if the expectant mother has already started the desensitization program. The injections contain the same allergenic materials the mother breathes in. Doctors may decrease a pregnant woman's dose to minimize the risk of reaction, but expectant moms are usually encouraged to follow through with shots during the entire nine months. Remember, shots are a means to decrease the use of medication.
and Pregnancy
- Most shots are administered with a fine needle and into fatty tissue and therefore are not painful.
- A 3- to 5-year immunotherapy program may provide allergy relief for 10 to 30 years.
- Inconvenience. Inconvenience. Inconvenience. Allergy shots are usually given every week for several months or more, then every other week, and finally every three or four weeks. Having to make so many trips to the doctor's office can be a major disadvantage for those with hectic work schedules and busy lives. Individuals living in rural locations might find it difficult to make a long trip to the doctor's office so frequently.
- A heavy-duty commitment. Depending on your sensitivity, you could be receiving shots for three to five years.
- Allergy shots aren't a cure-all. (Then again, nothing is.) The battle against allergies is multidimensional. You can't rely on shots alone to relieve symptoms. If no avoidance measures are taken, such as allergy-proofing the home, shots may prove ineffective.
- Many children and some adults dread shots.
- The injection site may be sore and red for several hours or days. Shots should be rotated from arm to arm with each dose.
- Risk of anaphylaxis (symptoms include swollen lips, tongue, or ears; uneasiness or agitation; red face; hives; prickling and itching sensations in the throat and skin; throbbing or ringing in the ears; sneezing, coughing, or breathing difficulty; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; loss of bladder or bowel control; convulsions; weak, rapid pulse; cold, clammy, pale skin; and unresponsiveness) is the most serious side effect. However, most allergists require a patient to remain in the office for 15-30 minutes after receiving a shot -- a necessary, but inconvenient requirement. The risk is higher in patients with uncontrolled asthma.
- Shots don't control food allergies and may aggravate skin allergy symptoms. But they can actually help eczema.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
The brand name products mentioned in this publication are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. The mention of any product in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the respective proprietors of Publications International, Ltd. or HowStuffWorks.com, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any of these companies that their products should be used in the manner described in this publication.
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
Lundgren, Linnea, and Jeff Wald. "Allergy Treatment Basics." 03 May 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/allergy-treatments-ga.htm> 17 May 2008.
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