allergy shots

 Allergy shots

What is that?

Allergic symptoms - family sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or asthma attacks - are caused by the body's reaction to a substance (allergen) that is inhaled, touched or eaten. It is also possible to develop a rash from a substance that touches or receives stomach upset, hives or breathing difficulties from something you eat. These allergens cause symptoms in a non-allergic person, but in an allergic person, an immune reaction against the allergen causes symptoms. In allergy, the body responds to allergens as it would respond to a dangerous invader, like bacteria or viruses. The immune system recognizes the substance as a stranger and activates an army of antibodies to eliminate the invader. Antibodies bind to the allergen and stimulate the release of chemicals, such as histamine, that cause allergy symptoms.

The standard mild to moderate allergy treatment involves avoiding the allergen that causes the allergic reaction and taking over-the-counter or prescription medications. But when these options are not enough to get rid of the symptoms, if allergies are severe or if you have significant side effects of taking prescription drugs, allergy shots may be recommended.
What is used for

Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, is a way of desensitizing the body so that it stops to react strongly to certain allergens. Small amounts of offending substance are injected under the skin to stimulate the immune system a little each time. Gradually, in the course of weeks and months, the amount of allergen is increased. It is not completely clear how allergy shots work, but it is believed that the treatment stimulates a different type of immune reaction against the allergen which is less annoying than a traditional allergic response. Allergy shots do not provide short-term relief, but they can be a good long-term solution when they work well. Many people have reduced allergy symptoms for many years after going through a full course (3-5 years) of allergy shots. It can take about six months to a year for symptoms to begin to subside. For people responding to treatment, allergy shots can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and decrease the frequency the symptoms occur. However, for some people, there may not be little effect even after a year.

Allergy shots are usually recommended for people with severe allergy symptoms who do not respond to the usual medications or have significant side effects from their medications. Other candidates are those who find their lives disrupted by allergies, or for whom allergies could become life-threatening, such as people who develop asthma attacks or a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. It can also be used to reduce the severity of reactions to insect bites.

Not all allergies can be treated with allergy shots. Food allergies are usually not treated with allergy shots because the allergic reaction of food allergies (anaphylaxis) makes the high risk injections, although very small amounts of antigen are used in the shot. Avoiding foods you are allergic to is a better strategy.
Preparation

Before allergy shots can be given, you need to have tests to determine which allergens are causing your allergic reactions. These tests include the skin or patch test and a blood test called a radioallergoabsorption test (RAST). The tests are not always accurate, so you can have a positive test without allergy symptoms or a negative test and still have allergy symptoms.
How you do itWhen an allergy stroke is received, a small amount of the allergen is injected under the skin, usually in the meaty part of the arm. In the beginning, injections are usually given once a week, and the allergen doses increase gradually with each injection. The maximum dose, called a maintenance dose, is reached after four to six months. The maintenance dose is given once a week or once every two weeks. After several months, the intake program can be reduced to once every three or four weeks. A course full of allergy shots usually takes between three and five years.
Follow up

After each injection, you will be asked to stay in the clinic or waiting room for 20 minutes or longer so that any reactions to the injection can be recognized and treated immediately. People who receive allergy shots will be asked to maintain a strict program of injections, because the lost injections can reduce the benefits and delay the effectiveness of the treatment.
risks

Many people do not have any adverse reactions to allergy shots. Sometimes, swelling, redness or itching at the injection site may develop. These mild reactions are usually treated with antihistamines, and your doctor may decide to change the dose for the next injection.

On rare occasions, a more severe reaction will occur. In some sensitive people, the allergy stroke can cause asthma symptoms, including difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing. Or, an anaphylactic reaction will cause dizziness, nausea, swelling of the throat that can prevent breathing or chest tightness. These reactions can usually be treated in the office, but from time to time, they may require treatment in a hospital.
When to call a professional

Call your doctor or allergist if you notice a redness or swelling at the injection site, or if you experience a cough or breathlessness after a recent injection. If you develop difficulty in breathing or talking, tightness in your chest, or if your throat is closing, you or someone with you should call the local emergency number.
Further information

European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)
555 East Wells St.
Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
Telephone: 414-272-6071
http://www.aaaai.org/

National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Communication and Public Liaison Office
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Telephone: 301-496-5717
Toll-Free: 1-866-284-4107
TDD: 1-800-877-8339