When your immune system identifies a normally harmless substance as an invader that needs to be attacked, you develop an allergy. The immune system goes into overdrive and starts producing antibodies. Antibodies trigger immune cells to produce chemicals that cause allergic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and itchy skin amongst others. The substance that triggers the allergic reaction is called an allergen. Allergy shots are aimed at this entire chain reaction of events by giving you varying amounts of this allergen.
The Facts
Allergy shots are a kind of therapy in which increasing amounts of the allergen are injected into your body over a specific period. Initially, only a small amount of the substance is used, and the amount is gradually increased until your body develops resistance to the allergen and you no longer get allergic symptoms. This treatment process is called immunotherapy.
Recommendations
According to MayoClinic.com, respiratory conditions such as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchitis and asthma all benefit from the allergy shot series. Allergies to substances such as indoor allergens, seasonal allergies and insect stings are all helped by this therapy. Allergy shots are not recommended for food allergies or chronic hives. Allergy shots are for someone who does not want to take antihistamines or other allergy medications over extended periods, but does want relief from his allergy symptoms. It is also used if you are unable to get relief by taking these medications.
The Shots
The shots are usually given in two phases. The first phase is the "build-up phase," in which increasing amounts of the allergen are given once or twice a week during a period of three to six months. Once the maximum beneficial dose is reached, which is decided by your doctor based on your individual responses and needs, the shots are spaced further apart and given once every four weeks or son. This is continued for three to five years, depending on your response and your relief from the allergy symptoms. If the condition relapses, your doctor might choose a longer treatment course. At times, your doctor might give you the option of accelerating the buildup phase to get faster relief. But this is associated with the increased risk of severe allergic reactions.
Complications
Allergy shots contain the substance that induces your allergic reaction. After your doctor administers these shots, she will monitor you for 30 minutes to watch for any reactions or side-effects before letting you go. But you could develop reactions to the shots even after you leave your doctor's office. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if this should happen. Allergic reactions can progress quickly without warning to the anaphylactic stage, which is life-threatening. This has to be treated immediately.
Response Time
You will start to feel relief from your allergy symptoms anywhere from the buildup phase to about a year into the maintenance phase. If by this time you have no relief of symptoms with this therapy, your doctor can give you other options to treat your allergy. He might need to investigate to see whether he missed any other offending allergens. He might try to find out whether you are being exposed to any triggers or large amounts of allergens in your environment. All of this can help in deciding what would be the next step for you in terms of treatment.
