It鈥檚 spring! Nature calls us to come outside and enjoy sunny skies, warm days, and verdant green landscapes. But it is also high allergy season for those who suffer from environmental allergies. It can be miserable out there, especially if over-the-counter allergy medications aren鈥檛 effective. Fortunately, there is a solution鈥allergy shots (also known as ) are available for all types of allergies. They are especially effective for:
- Seasonal allergies related to pollens from grasses, weeds, and trees
- Year-round allergies caused by mold, pet dander, dust mites, or cockroaches
- Venom allergies or allergic reactions from insect stings by bees, wasps, yellow jackets, or hornets
Are You a Candidate for Allergy Shots?
鈥淎nybody who has allergies can be considered for allergy shots,鈥 says Mili Shum, MD, an allergist and immunologist in the at 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频. 鈥淯sually people who request the shot are those for whom allergy medications are not effective or cause side effects, or they would rather not take the medications.鈥
There鈥檚 a broad list for those who could be candidates for allergy shots, including those with:
- Environmental allergies that aren鈥檛 well controlled by allergy medications
- Allergies with asthma
- Allergies with
- Insect venom allergies
- Unavoidable allergens, such as someone who harvests honey but has an allergic reaction to bee stings or has dog allergies with a dog at home
Even 人妻中出视频ren with environmental and venom allergies can receive allergy shots. However, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to traumatize 人妻中出视频ren with allergy shots,鈥 Shum says. 鈥淪o, the decision to start shots is based on conversations with families and when 人妻中出视频ren are able to tolerate the shots. Then, we give them.鈥 In 人妻中出视频ren who have experienced anaphylaxis鈥攁 severe reaction to an allergen that can cause trouble breathing, a weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fainting鈥攖o a venom allergy, then allergy shots are recommended to prevent anaphylaxis.
Those who should avoid allergy shots include those:
- With active medical conditions until those conditions are stabilized
- With active asthma until those conditions are stabilized
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- With significant cardiac conditions
- Pregnant people shouldn鈥檛 get build-up doses of allergy shots but can stay on the same doses that they were previously tolerating. For breastfeeding mothers, it is generally okay, but Shum advises to speak with your doctor.
The Build-Up Phase: Start Off with Low Doses
Once someone decides they would like to have the allergy shots, they should be aware that it is a process鈥攁 build-up phase and a maintenance phase. It can take up to six months for the shots to begin working. According to Shum, the build-up phase varies from clinic to clinic and can last up to 10 months. At 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频, patients generally come in once a week for 18 weeks for the build-up phase. The build-up phase begins with a low-dose injection of allergens and gradually builds up to a higher dose of allergens over time.
鈥淓very time patients come in during the build-up phase, they get a higher dose until they get to the effective doses,鈥 Shum says. 鈥淭hat's to minimize the risk of a reaction that you could have from getting the effective doses right away.鈥
The Maintenance Phase for the Win
Once an effective dose is reached, the maintenance phase begins. Patients come in every four to six weeks for a shot. The maintenance phase can last three to five years or more, so that the benefits from the shots continue even after the patient has stopped receiving the shots.
Although the allergy shots are 80-90% effective in reducing allergy symptoms, there may be cases where individuals still need to take medication, even if their allergies are better.
鈥淔or some people, getting the shots means they won鈥檛 need to take medication every day,鈥 Shum says. 鈥淏ut say a patient had been taking five allergy medications, yet they still have bad allergy symptoms. Allergy shots might help them feel a lot better so that they can reduce their meds. But they might still need to take some medications regularly.鈥
Serious Side Effects Are Rare
Because you are getting injected with things you are allergic to, there is always the potential of an allergic reaction. That is why the initial doses are small and why patients are required to stay at the clinic for 30 minutes after receiving a shot. If a reaction occurs, it is usually swelling at the site of the injection and itchiness.
鈥淭he likelihood of a severe reaction is much less common than getting into a car accident,鈥 Shum says. 鈥淏ut we still take it seriously, which is why we monitor for 30 minutes after every shot.鈥
Shum鈥檚 final advice is for patients to follow up with their doctor every year or sooner if there are any problems. 鈥淎t that point, you reassess how the allergy shots are working, if any changes need to be made, and whether or not it should be discontinued or continued,鈥 she says.