Anyone annoyed by needles might want to think twice about getting allergy shots. That’s because eliminating allergic reactions to pollen, dander, and the like is a years-long commitment. There can be unpleasant side effects as well. Yet many people who embark on the regimen see clear benefits. Still, the lingering question you may be asking is: Are allergy shots worth the effort?
How they Work
Allergies represent an immune system in overdrive. When someone has allergies, their body reacts to dander, dust, pollen, or other triggers like it’s experiencing a viral outbreak. Their immune system floods their body with histamine, provoking everything from sneezing and itchy eyes to an asthma attack. That histamine reaction is why antihistamines can be so effective. Unfortunately, over-the-counter treatments don’t work for everyone. Some allergy sufferers are truly laid up by the condition while an allergic reaction to a bee sting, for example, can be extremely dangerous.
People often become more allergic to a substance over time as their body develops antigens against a substance. That means your body’s reaction can become increasingly severe. In the U.S., more than 50 million people have an allergy of one kind or another, and of that, some 40% of children are dealing with an allergy.
Enter allergy shots. The approach is simple. You are injected with small but ever increasing amounts of the airborne allergens that make you allergic. Over time, your body becomes trained, recognizing that the benign substance isn’t a threat. Because your body ignores the allergens, you may be able to stop taking allergy-controlling medication. So what are the drawbacks?
Get Used to the Waiting Room
For allergy shots to work, most patients must commit to weekly appointments. These appointments wane after several months so that you need only get a shot every month or so. Still, besides the hassle of driving to a medical center, parking, and all the rest, you’ll likely be spending 30 minutes or more in the doctor’s office with each visit. While most patients of allergists aren’t carrying contagious diseases, it’s no one’s idea of a good time.
Besides the time, there’s cost involved, but most insurance companies do cover the treatment in the US.
Getting Needled
Does anyone really like shots? More than a few people are terrified of needles. Although children as young as five can get allergy shots, just the word “shot” is enough to send most in elementary school into hiding.
A few months of allergy shots may leave you feeling like a human pin cushion. Mild side effects, such as itching/swelling at the injection site are more common, while other symptoms, such as nasal/eye allergies, asthma symptoms or even anaphylaxis are more rare. Due to the risk of some side effects, you’re not supposed to bolt from the doctor’s office as soon as you’ve had your treatment. To reduce the occurrence of side effects, doctors often recommend patients take an antihistamine (like Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra) 2 hours prior to their shot.
They Can Work–Well
Allergy shots work and have been used for over 50 years in the Allergy world. In one study, allergy shots reduced hay fever symptoms after three years and more than cut in half the need for medication. They are over 90% effective in a clinical setting and offer ongoing benefits several years after the shots are concluded.
In most studies, patients who took allergy shots had consistently better outcomes than those who didn’t. If you have a beloved kitty or like to garden but allergies are becoming problematic, allergy shots may be a solution. In the case of insect stings, building up a tolerance can be truly life saving. For children with allergy-induced asthma, shots can allow them to participate and even enjoy athletic activity. Currently, there are no widely available shots for food allergies. Discussing your options with your Allergist may well put you on a path to improved quality of life.
Written by John Bankston