Alternatives to Receiving Allergy Shots

Living with debilitating allergies can be most painful for millions of people because their quality of life revolves around irritating symptoms caused by their allergies. Some of the symptoms that they may experience may include: sinusitis, skin disorders, gastro-intestinal upset and chronic ear infections.

It becomes a real struggle to find effective treatments for these allergies, as many therapies are only for short term.

One treatment that many people have employed is taking allergy shots. These shots contain a small amount of the allergen to which the patient is allergic. The efficacy of this method is still not known, but many swear by it and have stated that they have had good results over a period of time.

Allergy Shots: How Do They Work?

When a person first receives the shots, the body starts producing antibodies to that particular allergen. This helps your body fight the allergen. Then, the next time you come into contact with the allergen, these antibodies help to block the effects it would normally had had on you.

This in turn causes the symptoms to become less severe. Relief will then begin to come with time and the time will become longer lasting that you are without pain.

The most common reason a person takes shots is to have relief from pollen allergies. These can be found in hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Some have said that asthma can also be improved by using allergy shots.

These shots should only be considered as a last means, when other treatments have failed to help.

If someone is suffering from severe asthma or heart disease, then allergy shots are not recommended for them. Also children under five should not receive them either. If pregnant, it is not know how the shots would effect the unborn child. If you are already on shots, you must consult your doctor before you continue them. If it is recommended that you take allergy shots, you will have to have a allergy test, skin test, and blood test as well. Most shots are started by going twice a week and then after six months, one can begin maintenance of once a month. The decision about allergy shots should be discussed with you and your doctor. Life can be easier through better medicine. Maybe allergy shots are what are right for you.