Question: I’ve had allergies my whole life and I’m thinking of
going in for the shots. What do you think?
Answer: Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots or
vaccinations, can alleviate allergy symptoms. However, shots don’t work on all
allergies or all people.
Doctors advise against allergy shots if you take a beta blocker
for high blood pressure or heart problems. If you’re considering immunotherapy,
seek the advice of a good allergist.
Allergy shots are a series of scheduled injections meant to
desensitize you to specific allergens — the substances that trigger an
allergic response. The usual schedule is a shot once or twice a week for about
three to six months. After that, you’ll need a shot about once a month for
three to five years.
Allergy shots are commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay
fever) and asthma. Allergy shots also may control allergic reactions to
stinging insects, such as bees, yellowjackets, hornets and wasps. But the shots
are not effective for food allergies.
If you have seasonal hay fever, you may be allergic to pollens
from trees, grasses or weeds. If you have year-round discomfort, you may be
sensitive to indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold or pet
dander.
The common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are itchy eyes, nose, or
throat; nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, chest congestion or
wheezing. If your eyes also become red and swollen, you suffer from allergic
conjunctivitis.
Before starting allergy shots, your doctor may use a skin test to
confirm that you have allergies and determine which specific allergens cause
your signs and symptoms. During the test, a small amount of the suspected
allergen is scratched into your skin and the area is then observed for about 20
minutes. Swelling and redness indicate an allergy to the substance.
The shots won’t give you immediate relief. You’ll probably see
improvement in the first year of treatment. The most noticeable improvement
often happens during the second year. By the third year, most people are
desensitized to the allergens contained in the shots.
For some people, successful treatment leads to a life without
allergy symptoms. For others, shots must continue on a long-term basis to keep
allergy symptoms at bay.
An allergic reaction is a complex chain of events that involves
many cells, chemicals and tissues throughout the body. While there is no cure
for allergic disease, there are many medications available to lessen symptoms.
About 50 million Americans suffer from an allergy.
Major allergic diseases include: allergic rhinitis, allergic
conjunctivitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), hives (urticaria), and
reactions to substances such as food, latex, medications, and insect stings.
We don’t know why some substances trigger allergies and others do
not.
We also don’t understand why every person does not react to
allergens. A family history of allergies is the single most important factor
that predisposes a person to develop allergies.
If you have a question, please write to fred@healthygeezer.com
All rights reserved. © 2008 by Fred Cicetti