How Allergy Shots Work
To understand how allergy shots (allergy immunotherapy) work, let’s look at what happens when you have an allergy attack. Allergens are all around us. We come into contact with them every day, but not all of them set off allergy symptoms. These allergens (such as pollen, dust, pets, molds, stinging insects, and certain foods) are actually harmless. Most people don’t react to them. But, if you have allergies, your body perceives the allergens as harmful invaders, and the immune system overreacts by attacking them. This attack makes your body release the chemical called histamine, which is responsible for undesirable allergy symptoms. The release of histamine in the body causes congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, a stuffy or runny nose, and ear popping and discomfort. Allergy shots work at gradually building up the body’s tolerance to a particular allergen. Eventually, the body’s allergic response is blocked, and histamine is not released. With no histamine in the system, there are no symptoms left. And you feel a lot better. Allergy immunotherapy is a process wherein allergens are strategically introduced to the body to instigate a prophylactic or therapeutic effect within the immune system. There have been many studies and empiric trials of immunotherapy which support it’s effectiveness as an allergy treatment. Generally, medical practitioners choose to treat allergy symptoms and/or reduce allergic reactions with standard medications. However with immunotherapy, the ultimate goal is to reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to particular allergens, thereby effectively eliminating the allergy altogether. Although immunotherapy is not effective in all patient’s, and is only partially effective in others, it does give the hope of eventually being able to reduce or discontinue use of medication allergies. Immunotherapy is usually reserved for those with severe allergies that drastically impair quality of life. For instance, it may not be possible to function with multiple allergies to mold, dust, pet dander, and other common allergens that are generally unavoidable. Immunotherapy is not generally indicated for food allergies, nor is it used for medication allergies. It does seem to be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from allergic rhinitis or asthma flares. If you qualify for allergy immunotherapy, a qualified allergy specialist can design a specialized program specific to your needs. There are two types of allergy immunotherapy. The first and most common treatment includes a series of shots administered over a four to five year period. The preferred location for these shots is in the back of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder. These injections are, basically, an allergy extract or extremely diluted form of the offending allergen. Dosages are started small and are given on a regular basis, usually weekly. The dosage progressively increases toward a maintenance level. It may take up to six months of weekly injections to reach the desired maintenance dose. After this level is reached, injections will be given every two to three weeks on a regular basis. Eventually treatments are reduced to once per month over a course of several years. Over time, the body becomes desensitized to the particular allergen. As a general rule, the higher the dose and the longer the treatment, the better the results will be. Although allergies cannot currently be cured, immunotherapy can reduce the severity of symptoms, decrease the need for chronic medication usage, and improve quality of life. In some cases, immunotherapy will reduce but not eliminate allergic symptoms. In these instances, allergy medications may still be required to keep symptoms under control. An additional benefit to immunotherapy is the possibility that it may prevent the development of further allergic triggers. It is best to start immunotherapy as soon after the development of an allergy as possible. Evidence is strong that immunotherapy in children can prevent the development of new allergic responses later in life. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to convince a child that the benefits of immunotherapy outweigh the discomfort of the injections. Although immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in both children and adults, it is not generally recommended for the elderly due to the fact that age can reduce the ability to cope with possible side effects. The study of immunotherapy has been ongoing since the early 1900’s. The basic idea behind immunotherapy is that by introducing progressively larger doses of a particular antigen into the body, the body will eventually build up a tolerance to the offending allergen and will have little to no symptoms when the allergen is encountered. Techniques and skills have advanced to the point that genetically engineered allergen extracts are being formulated to increase the effectiveness and decrease potential risks of immunotherapy. Because immunotherapy involves introduction of the offending allergen into the body, each person who is treated by immunotherapy will have a different treatment regimen and schedule. This is based on individual allergic responses and allergy profiles. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), allergy immunotherapy is successful in up to 90% of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is also effective in up to 80% of patients suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis. Although adverse reactions are rare, they have been reported in a small number of patients receiving immunotherapy treatments. For this reason injections should only be administered under the care of a qualified physician. Additionally, some studies have shown an increased risk of adverse reaction in patients who are taking beta-blockers. Therefore, it is not recommended that those taking beta-blockers engage in a course of immunotherapy. Any medications which a patient may be taking should be discussed with the allergist before commencing allergy immunotherapy. Additionally, it is recommended that exercise and excessive heat be avoided for one to two hours before and after administration of immunotherapy. You will also need to wait for 20-30 minutes after an injection to insure that an anaphylactic reaction does not occur. You should receive specific instructions for your situation from your immunologist or healthcare professional. Though costs may vary, a five year cost analysis comparing immunotherapy injections vs allergy medications was done by AAAAI in 2000 with the finding that long term medication treatment was more expensive than immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment option for many allergies. Those suffering from chronic allergy symptoms would find probable benefit in discussing the pros and cons of allergy immunotherapy with their doctor. Sources: www.wikipedia.com, www.AAAI.org, www.aafp.org Disclaimer: The allergy information on this website is strictly general information and should not be taken as official advice. Please schedule an appointment with an allergy doctor in order to get a proper and full allergy diagnosis. This article was developed by Utah Allergy Associates of Utah and Adaptivity Pro SEO Services