Are you allergic to certain things? Do you sneeze, have red eyes, and itchy skin when you touch a little dust, go near a cat, or when certain flowers bloom? For some, this allergy is so severe that they can't even do their daily tasks properly. Even if they subside for a while after taking medication, they start all over again when they are exposed to that thing. Today, we are going to talk about the best solution for those who continue to suffer from such allergies. That is Allergy Shots, or Allergy Injections.
Simply put, what are these allergy shots?
Allergy Shots are a treatment that involves injecting your body with very small amounts of the things that cause your allergies (we call these allergens ) over a period of time. Think of it this way, your body's defense system (immune system) gets upset when it sees the thing that causes your allergies (allergen) and overreacts. That's what causes allergy symptoms.
What this injection does is give your body a very small dose of the allergen that causes the allergy, and "accustom" your immune system to it. It's like gradually introducing a child to a new food. Over time, you gradually increase the amount of allergen in the injection. Eventually, your immune system becomes accustomed to the allergen and doesn't panic when it sees it, saying, "Oh, this is something I know." Then the allergy symptoms are greatly reduced, and sometimes they disappear completely.
This treatment method is called by several other names.
- Allergen Immunotherapy (often abbreviated as 'Immunotherapy')
- Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
What kind of allergies are these injections given for?
This injection cannot be given for every allergy. This treatment is effective for two main types of allergies. Let's see what they are, and which allergies this method does not work for.
| Treatable Allergies | Non-Treatable Allergies |
|---|---|
| Airborne Allergens: These include dust, pollen from trees and grasses, pet dander, and mold. | Food Allergies: This method does not work for food allergies. |
| Stinging Insects: Severe allergic reactions caused by stings from insects such as bees, wasps, and hornets. | Medication Allergies: This method is also not used for allergies to certain medications. |
| Latex Allergies: The best thing to do for allergies to latex is to avoid it. |
Simply put, the best treatment for food, drug, and latex allergies is to stay away from those things as much as possible.
How is the injection process done?
This is not a one-time injection. This is a long-term treatment . Anyone over the age of 5 can have this treatment, but your doctor will decide whether it is right for you.
First, your doctor will do a skin test or blood test to find out exactly what you're allergic to. Then, treatment occurs in two stages.
Phase 1: Buildup Phase
During this time, you will need to take the injection once or twice a week. This will take about 6 to 10 months. This involves starting with a very small dose of the allergen and gradually increasing the dose as your body gets used to it.
Phase 2: Maintenance Phase
Once your body has adjusted to the maximum dose, the next step is the maintenance phase. This is where you need to take the injection about once a month. This phase will continue for about 3 to 5 years . It may take longer if your allergy is very severe.
Before giving the injection, the doctor or nurse will clean the skin with something like alcohol and then usually give the injection in your upper arm.
Very important:
After receiving the injection, you must remain in the same place where the doctor is for at least 30 minutes. The reason for this is that a sudden allergic reaction to the injection can occur. If that happens, you can be treated quickly on the spot.
Symptoms of this type of reaction may include:
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Hives
Very rarely, a severe, even life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. This is when blood pressure drops suddenly, the heart rate increases, and you may lose consciousness. That's why that 30 minutes is so important.
After you go home after the injection, avoid exercising or taking a hot bath for two hours. These things increase blood flow to your body, which can spread the allergen in the injection throughout your body faster. While this may not be a big problem, it's still good to be careful.
Are there any cases where this injection should not be given?
Yes, there are some cases where this treatment should not be taken. It is very important to discuss this with your doctor.
- If you have a fever (over 100°F / 37.7°C): Do not get the injection if you have a common cold or fever.
- If you have an asthma attack: If you take the injection during an asthma attack, your symptoms may get worse.
- If you are taking a medication called beta-blockers: These are a type of medication commonly used to treat heart disease and high blood pressure. These medications can reduce the effectiveness of the epinephrine that we talked about earlier, which is used to treat a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). So if you are taking these medications, be sure to talk to your doctor about whether it is safe to get allergy shots.
How long does it take to see results? Is this really effective?
This is the problem that many people have. You can't expect instant results from this treatment.
It takes 6 to 8 months for most people to notice a reduction in symptoms, and it can take up to a year to see full results.
So, patience is very important for this.
In terms of success, about 80% of people who take this treatment see a significant reduction in symptoms. This means that the allergy does not go away completely, but the symptoms are controlled to the point where you can live without medication. About 60% of people who complete treatment for 3-5 years see permanent results. This means that the allergy does not return even after stopping treatment.
Aren't there any disadvantages to this?
The main disadvantage is the small risk of an allergic reaction to the injection. But that's why the doctor will observe you for 30 minutes.
Another thing is the fear of needles. But this injection uses a very thin needle . So it doesn't hurt much. Also, this is a long-term, dedicated treatment. It may be difficult for some to see the doctor every week or month. But the long-term recovery is worth the sacrifice.
What is the difference between Allergy Shots and Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops are a liquid medicine that is placed under the tongue. This is also called Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) . While this method is approved in some countries, it is not in others. There are also allergy tablets that are given only for certain allergies. You can ask your doctor for more information about these.
Take-Home Message
- Allergy shots are a long-term, effective treatment for frequent allergies, not a quick fix.
- This involves gradually introducing the allergen into the body, allowing the immune system to become accustomed to it.
- To decide whether this treatment is appropriate or not, it is essential to first see a specialist and undergo tests.
- You must stay at the medical center for 30 minutes after receiving the injection. This is to treat any emergency reactions.
- It can take several months or even a year to see results, so patience and dedication are very important.
- If you have any questions about this treatment, don't hesitate to ask your doctor .
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න