Will Allergy Shots Help Allergies

Will Allergy Shots Help Allergies- How do allergy shots work?

An allergy shot contains a very small amount of the substance that you are allergic to (called the allergen). Common allergens include mold and pollen from grasses, ragweed and trees.

So, for example, if you are allergic to grass pollen, a small amount of grass pollen will be put into the shot.

Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen. When you get shots that contain the allergen, your body’s immune system makes antibodies to the allergen. The next time you have contact with the allergen, these antibodies help block its effect. Because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergen, your allergy symptoms become less severe. After many allergy shots, you might start to get relief from your allergy symptoms. This relief will last for a long time.

What kind of allergies can be treated with allergy shots?

Allergy shots work well for pollen allergies, eye allergies, bee-sting allergies and some drug allergies. In some people, allergy shots can improve asthma symptoms.

Usually people get allergy shots after they have tried other treatments that haven’t worked. Other treatments include avoiding allergens and taking medicine, such as anantihistamine  .

Can everyone get allergy shots?

No. Allergy shots may not be good for you if you have severeasthma  or heart problems. You shouldn’t get allergy shots if you take a beta blocker for heart problems. Children younger than 5 years of age also shouldn’t get allergy shots.

You shouldn’t start allergy shots if you are pregnant. If you have been taking allergy shots for some time and become pregnant, talk to your doctor. You may be able to continue taking your allergy shots.

What will happen if my doctor and I choose allergy shots to treat my allergy?

Your doctor will want to do an allergy test to help determine exactly what is causing your allergy. An allergy skin test puts tiny amounts of allergens onto your skin to see which ones you react to. Or, your doctor may decide to do a blood test, such as the radioallergosorbent test (called RAST) or the ImmunoCap test.

How many shots will I have to get?

Quite a few. You will start getting shots 1 or 2 times each week. After about 6 months of weekly shots, your doctor will decide when you can start maintenance treatment. Maintenance shots are usually given just once each month, year round. You’ll probably need to get maintenance shots for 3 to 5 years. Then you may be able to stop having shots.

Are allergy shots harmful?

Allergy shots are usually safe. But because allergy shots contain small amounts of an allergen you might have an allergic reaction to the shot itself. One common reaction to allergy shots is swelling at the place where the shot is given.

Some people can also have severe, shock-like reactions to an allergy shot. This type of reaction is calledanaphylaxis  . Anaphylaxis is rare but very serious. If you get your shots on schedule (every week or every month), you’re less likely to have this kind of reaction.

In case you have a bad reaction, your doctor will have you stay at the office for about 20 minutes every time you get your shot. That way, if you have a reaction to the shot, your doctor can give you something right away to stop it.

How long after I start taking the allergy shots before I feel better?

It usually takes 6 months or more of shots before you start feeling better and notice relief of your allergy symptoms. If you don’t feel better after this time, you should probably talk with your doctor about another kind of treatment for your allergies.

Citations

• Use of Immunotherapy in a Primary Care Office  by T Craig, D.O., AM Sawyer, R.N., M.SC.N. and JA Fornadley, M.D.( 04/15/98)

Allergy Skin Testing

Why am I having this test?

Allergy skin testing is done to check whether you have an allergy to something. Testing may be done in one of two ways:

• Injecting a small amount of the substance you may be allergic to (allergen).
• Applying patches to your skin.

Your health care provider will determine the results of your test by checking for an allergic reaction on the skin where the allergen was injected or where the patches were applied.

How do I collect samples at home?

If you will receive an injection, you will not need to do anything at home. If patches will be applied to your skin, you will need to:

• Wear them for 48 hours.
• Return to your health care provider’s office to have them removed. Do notremove them yourself.
• Avoid bathing and activities that cause heavy sweating until after the patches are removed.

How do I prepare for this test?

• Let your health care provider know about all medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines can affect test results. Your health care provider will let you know when to stop taking those medicines and when you can begin taking them again.
• If you are having a patch test:
  • Do notapply ointments, creams, or lotion to the skin where the patch will be placed. Usually, the patches are placed on your forearm or on your back.
  • Bring any items that you think you are allergic to, such as cosmetics, soaps, and perfume.

What are the reference ranges?

Reference ranges are considered healthy ranges established after testing a large group of healthy people. Reference ranges may vary among different people, labs, and hospitals.

The reference range for allergy skin testing is a swollen area of skin (wheal) less than 3mm in diameter, with surrounding redness and swelling (flare) less than 10mm in diameter.

What do the results mean?

• A result within the reference range means you are probably not allergic to the allergen.
• A result in which the wheal is 3mm or more and the flare is 10mm or more means you are likely allergic to the allergen.

Your health care provider will consider the results of your test in addition to your symptoms before diagnosing you with an allergy. Talk with your health care provider to discuss your results, treatment options, and if necessary, the need for more tests. Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions about your results.

Allergy Testing for Children

If your child has allergies, it means that the child’s defense system (immune system) is more sensitive to certain substances. This overreaction of your child’s immune system causes allergy symptoms. Children tend to be more sensitive than adults.

Getting your child tested and treated for allergies can make a big difference in his or her health. Allergies are a leading cause of disease in children. Children with allergies are more likely to have asthma, hay fever, ear infections, and allergic skin rashes.

What are the causes?

Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens. The most common allergens in children are:

• Foods, especially milk, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, shellfish, and corn.
• House dust.
• Animal dander.
• Pollen.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Common signs and symptoms of an allergy include:

• Runny nose.
• Stuffy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Watery, red, and itchy eyes.

Other signs and symptoms can include:

• A raised and itchy skin rash (hives).
• A scaly and itchy skin rash (eczema).
• Wheezing or trouble breathing.
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
• Frequent ear infections.

Food allergies can cause many of the same signs and symptoms as other allergies but may also cause:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.

Food allergies are also more likely to cause a severe and dangerous allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Sudden swelling of the face or mouth.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Cold, clammy skin.
• Passing out.

How is this diagnosed?

Your child’s health care provider will start by asking about your child’s symptoms and whether there is a family history of allergy. A physical exam will be done to check for signs of allergy. The health care provider may also want to do tests. Several kinds of tests can be used to diagnose allergies in children. The most common ones include:

• Skin prick tests.
  • Skin testing is done by injecting a small amount of allergen under the skin, using a tiny needle.
  • If your child is allergic to the allergen, a red bump (wheal) will appear in about 15 minutes.
  • The larger the wheal, the greater the allergy.
• Blood tests. A blood sample is sent to a laboratory and tested for reactions to allergens. This type of test is called a radioallergosorbent test (RAST).
• Elimination diets. In this test, common foods that cause allergy are taken out of your child’s diet to see if allergy symptoms stop. Food allergies can also be tested with skin tests or a RAST.

How is this treated?

After finding out what your child is allergic to, your child’s health care provider will help you come up with the best treatment options for your child. The common treatment options include:

• Avoiding the allergen.
  • Your child may need to avoid eating or coming in contact with certain foods.
  • Your child may need to stay away from certain animals.
  • You may need to keep your house free of dust.
• Using medicines to block allergic reactions. These medicines can be taken by mouth or nasal spray.
• Using allergy shots (immunotherapy) to build up a tolerance to the allergen. These injections are increased over time until your child’s immune system no longer reacts to the allergen. Immunotherapy works very well for most allergies, but not so well for food allergies.