Allergy Symptom Relief Through Immunotherapy
An alternative to over-the-counter or prescription allergy symptom relief medication is immunotherapy. This long-term solution consists of a schedule of allergy shots administered by your doctor. Much like vaccinations, allergy shots introduce a small amount of specific allergens - based on what you are allergic to - into your system in an attempt to “train” your immune system to recognize the allergens and build up a tolerance ot them.
What Kind of Allergy Symptom Relief Can Shots Provide?
Allergy shots can provide relief from many symptoms for many individuals. The effectiveness of immunotherapy will vary on a case-by-case basis. The two primary factors that influence the effectiveness of allergy shots are the severity of your allergic reactions and the type of substances to which you are allergic.
Currently, there is no form of immunotherapy that has been proven to provide allergy symptom relief for food allergies or various types of allergic hives. However, allergy shots are proven to help provide relief from:
- Seasonal Allergies including hay fever, asthma caused by certain seasonal allergens and reactions to pollens, dust mites and other substances that are only present during specific times of the year.
- Indoor Allergies caused by various molds, mites, cockroaches and pet dander.
- Insect Allergies caused by stings from various flying irritants like yellow jackets, bumble and other bees, hornets or wasps.
How Often Will I Have to Get Allergy Shots?
The process of building up your immune system against allergens generally lasts anywhere from two to five years. The most effective immunotherapy schedules are done in two phases.
During the first phase, often called the build-up phase, you will visit your doctor as often as three times a week, receiving a larger dose of the allergen each time. This slow increase allows your immune system to become accustomed to the substances without causing a full-blown allergic reaction. Some doctors will consider a more aggressive approach to this first phase, administering greater increases in the allergen in order to shorten the immunotherapy process. While this approach is attractive to some patients who are anxious to achieve allergy symptom relief more quickly, it increases the risk for side effects and stronger allergic reactions.
The second or maintenance phase of the immunotherapy process begins after an effective level of allergen introduction has been reached. While this is the longest phase and can last up to five years, during the maintenance phase you will most likely only need to receive treatment about once a month. Your allergen doses will remain consistent during this phase, ensuring that your body is completely accustomed to this level of allergens. During the maintenance phase, you should begin to experience partial or complete allergy symptom relief.
What are the Side Effects of Allergy Shots?
Much like with vaccinations, you may experience moderate allergic reactions after receiving immunotherapy. In most cases, your doctor will require you to be monitored for a short time (usually about thirty minutes) after each shot is administered. A slight allergic reaction is normal, but if you begin to experience increased side effects like itchy eyes, shortness of breath, a tightness in your throat, trouble swallowing or a runny nose, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Allergy shots are generally administered in the upper arm and, as with most shots, you will most likely experience discomfort around that area for several hours after the injection. Normal reactions are redness, swelling or irritation. If these reactions increase or do not begin to reduce within 8 hours of your immunotherapy session, contact your doctor.
Who Should Consider Allergy Shot Treatment?
Immunotherapy is not a cure for allergies, it simply provides some allergy symptom relief. Allergy shots are most recommended for those who cannot receive adequate relief through allergy medication or other methods such as a change in diet. Severe allergy sufferers and those with non-seasonal allergies are often good candidates for immunotherapy.
When you discuss your options with your doctor, be sure that he/she knows all other regular medications - including beta blockers and other vitamins and supplements - you might take during your immunotherapy process. Some substances can greatly increase the risk of adverse side effects and may make you a poor candidate for immunotherapy. If you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, your doctor needs to be aware of this as well.
For many, immunotherapy can provide a great opportunity to find allergy symptom relief. There are many variables that will determine whether it is the right choice for you. If you are ready to begin treating your allergy symptoms, work with your doctor to determine the best allergy symptom relief option for you.
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