Does your little one often get allergies? Sometimes they sneeze, itch, and have trouble breathing, right? So today we are going to talk about 'allergy shots' that can help get rid of these allergy problems. Don't worry, this is a treatment that has brought relief to many people.
What are Allergy Shots?
Simply put, these 'allergy shots' are a treatment for certain types of allergies. This is also called 'allergen immunotherapy'. This can be especially helpful if your child has allergies to things like:
- Environmental factors: Think pollen, mold, or dust mites. These can be very harmful to some children when they come into contact with them.
- Pet dander: Some children get rashes all over their bodies and start sneezing when they touch a cat or dog. That's when it happens.
- Insect stings: For example, if you are stung by an animal such as a wasp, hornet, or ant, you may experience a reaction that causes your skin to swell severely and make it difficult to breathe.
But one thing is very important – these ``allergy shots`` do not usually help with food allergies. That is, they do not work for allergies that occur after drinking milk or eating peanuts. There are separate treatments for those.
Why are these allergy shots used?
Okay, now let's see why these `allergy shots` are given. An allergy is when something in the environment (e.g. a dust particle, a pollen) that is not normally harmful to our body enters our body, and our body's immune system suddenly reacts excessively. It's like making a big fuss over a small thing.
We call things that cause allergies in this way ``Allergens.'' Many things can be ``Allergens'', such as dust, cat fur, pollen, some insects, and some foods.
When an allergen enters the body, the body releases chemicals. One of them is histamine . When this histamine and other chemicals are released, symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, coughing, stuffy nose, itching, and hives appear. Some allergic reactions can be very severe , so you need to be careful about them. Life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis can also occur.
The best way to prevent or control allergy symptoms is to stay away from allergens as much as possible. But it's not always easy to do that. Allergists, who are doctors who specialize in allergies, can help you find out if your child has allergies and what they're allergic to. They will do tests, such as skin tests and blood tests. Based on the results of those tests, they can recommend treatments, medications (such as antihistamines), and how to stay away from allergens.
So, if the treatments and medications you mentioned don't provide much relief, or if staying away from allergens is practically difficult, then an allergist can tell you about this treatment called allergy shots.
How do allergy shots help?
Now let's see how these `allergy shots` work. What this does is, the child's body is gradually accustomed to the specific `(Allergens)` that he is allergic to. Then, the body does not bother as much with those `(Allergens)` as before. To be precise, the body builds an `(Immunity`)` against that `(Allergen`). That is, the body becomes less sensitive to that `(Allergen`).
Another thing is that for children who have allergies and asthma, these allergy shots can also reduce the frequency of asthma flare-ups. Isn't that a great thing? Reducing breathing difficulties is a great relief for the child.
These allergy shots contain very small, purified amounts of the allergens that are causing your child problems. Doctors will gradually increase the dose over the first 3-6 months. This is called the build-up phase. During this time, the body's immune system can safely adapt to these allergens and build immunity against them. During this time, you may need to get the shots once or twice a week.
After that, the highest, most effective, and safest dose that can be given to a child is their ``maintenance dose.'' This is usually given about once a month. Doctors give this ``maintenance dose'' to children until they are about 3 to 5 years old. However, over time, most children can reduce the number of shots they receive.
Some children's allergy symptoms begin to improve during the ``Buildup Phase.'' They feel relief immediately. Others don't feel much relief until they reach the ``Maintenance Phase.'' This can vary from child to child. However, after years of receiving these ``allergy shots,'' some children may experience long-term relief from their allergy symptoms . This relief may continue even after treatment is stopped.
Are these allergy shots really safe?
This is a question that many parents have. Allergy shots, when properly administered by a trained health professional, are a very safe and effective treatment. They can be given to children as young as 5 years old.
However, a small reaction may occur at the injection site. This may occur immediately after the injection or a few hours later. The area where the injection was given may become slightly red, itchy, and swollen. If this happens, you can get relief by applying an ice pack or taking an antihistamine as recommended by your doctor .
A little more, meaning hives and itching all over the body, are less common. More serious reactions – think hives, difficulty breathing, a swollen throat, nausea, dizziness – are rare. But if a severe reaction does occur, it needs to be treated immediately. That's why children who get allergy shots are kept in the doctor's office for about 30 minutes after the injection. Because if something like that happens, it can take effect quickly.
Important: A severe reaction is an emergency. Therefore, it is important to have a doctor nearby. If something like this happens, the doctor can quickly control it by giving you a medicine like `Adrenaline`.
There are a few more tips:
- Children should always be given allergy shots only under the supervision of an allergist/immunologist, that is, a doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology.
- If a child is sick, especially if they have asthma or are having difficulty breathing, it's not a good idea to give these shots until the doctor says, "Okay, it's safe now." It's a good idea to talk to the doctor even when they have a fever or a cold.
- If your child is taking any other medications, you should definitely tell the doctor before giving them allergy shots. Some medications may interact with this treatment.
Don't worry, if you take care of these things, this is a very safe treatment.
How do we find a good allergist?
Okay, now you're probably wondering how to find a specialist like this. It's not that difficult.
- You can ask your family doctor (Primary care doctor or GP) to recommend a good allergist. They usually know who the best specialists are in the area.
- Or, if you have a family member or friend who already has an allergist, you can ask them who they recommend. It's also worth hearing from someone else's experience.
- In Sri Lanka, there are clinics and specialists who treat allergies in large government hospitals (e.g. National Hospital, Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital) and private hospitals . You can also look into that.
The most important thing is to do your research and choose a trustworthy, qualified doctor. If the doctor is someone who explains everything to you, you will feel at ease.
How can parents help? Is this painful for the child?
One of the things that many parents worry about is whether this injection will hurt their child. In fact, the needles used for these ``allergy shots'' are very small. They are smaller than the needles used for the ``vaccinations'' we give our children when they were young, so the pain is much less. It feels like a small sting, like being bitten by an ant.
But, isn't it normal for some children to feel a little scared when they hear the word 'injection'? That's where parental support and a positive attitude are very important. When parents are confident and committed to this treatment method (Immunotherapy), it is a great strength for the child. If you are scared, the child may be even more scared.
While giving the injection, you can hold your child's hand tightly, sing a song they like, show a video on your phone, or do something else to distract them. This will help them think less about the injection. Some doctors also have small toys to help distract children.
"When mom and dad are smiling and not afraid, it gives the child a lot of confidence! He feels like, 'This is good for me.'"
Understanding the benefits of these ``allergy shots'' and how they work will go a long way in helping your child accept them as part of their daily routine. Think about it, ''This is a small thing, this will help my allergy, it will make it easier for me to play, run, and jump,'' and it won't be as much of a burden to them.
So, what are the things we need to remember from this?
Okay, so let's review some of the most important points about these `allergen immunotherapy' we talked about today.
- Allergy shots are a good treatment for some severe, persistent allergies, especially those caused by environmental allergens and insect stings.
- This means that your child's body is gradually exposed to the allergens they are allergic to, and they build immunity.
- This usually doesn't work for food allergies. There are different methods for that.
- Treatment usually takes several years (often 3-5) to achieve long-term results. It's a long journey, but the results can be good.
- This is very safe when done under the supervision of a trained physician. Minor ``(Reactions)`` may occur at the injection site, but serious ones are very rare.
- You should definitely see an allergist and start this treatment according to their advice. This is not suitable for every child, so it is up to the doctor to decide.
- The support, patience, and positive attitude of the parents are a great strength for the child to successfully complete this treatment.
"Remember, every child is different. So talk to your doctor carefully about how this treatment is suitable for your child and how it will be done."
So, if your child also suffers from allergies and has to take medication regularly, talk to your doctor about the option of 'allergy shots'. Maybe this will bring you great relief!
` Allergy shots, allergen immunotherapy, allergies in children, allergens, histamine, allergists, immunity
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