Allergy Injections and Allergy Drops for Adults and Children
Allergy is the body's reaction to substances around you. This article talks about allergies to particles in the air such as pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold. Allergies occur when the immune system (the system that protects your body from germs) reacts to one of these particles (called "allergens").
Reactions by the immune system that cause allergic symptoms. Allergy symptoms from airborne allergens (air allergens) can include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Itchy nose and throat
- Cough
- Mucus drips down your throat
- Eyes itchy, watery, or swollen
- Pressure on the nose, cheeks, and forehead
- A skin rash or itchy skin
In some people, allergies can also cause asthma symptoms (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest).
Some allergies, such as pollen allergies, only occur at certain times of the year (for example, when trees and grasses release their pollen). This is called "seasonal allergy" or " hay fever ." Other allergies, such as dust allergies, can occur throughout the year. This is called "lasting allergies." A person can only have seasonal allergies, only lasting allergies, or both types of allergies.
How are allergies treated?
First, your doctor will probably talk to you about your symptoms and medical history and examine you to determine what allergies you have. Your doctor may suggest allergy medicine to help treat your allergy symptoms. Your doctor may also suggest ways to avoid allergens that might cause your allergies.
Common allergy medications include commercial antihistamines such as fexofenadine (Allegra®), loratadine (Claritin®), or cetirizine (Zyrtec®). Your doctor may prescribe steroids that are available as nasal sprays such as fluticasone propionate (Flonase®) or mometasone furoate (Nasonex®).
How to avoid allergens
Your doctor may also suggest ways to avoid allergens (particles in the air that can cause allergies), such as frequently cleaning your carpet and curtains, using an air filter, or using a mattress cover and a special pillow to reduce the amount of allergen dust while you sleep.
If allergy medications and attempts to avoid allergens do not reduce your symptoms, your doctor may conduct tests to try to determine the cause of your allergies. Skin tests or blood tests can be done to see what allergens are causing the reaction. Once you find the cause of your allergy, your doctor may suggest an allergy injection or allergy drops.
Allergy shots or allergy drops
This type of treatment works differently from allergy medications. Allergy shots and drops work to reduce your body's reaction to allergens. Your doctor may suggest allergic injections or drops make symptoms occur less frequently or to make symptoms lighter.
- Allergy shots: injections given under the skin (usually in the upper arm) are usually practiced by a doctor
- Allergy drops liquid drops under your tongue that you can do at home (this method is called "sublingual immunotherapy").
Allergy shots and allergy drops help your immune system become less sensitive to allergens. Injections and drops contain small amounts of allergens that cause your allergies. For example, if you are allergic to banyan tree pollen, injections or drops will have a small amount of banyan tree pollen in it. Allergy shots and drops both contain allergens that cause your allergies. The difference between them is just how they are given.
The amount of allergen in an allergy injection or drops is so small that your immune system may not react strongly to this. Your doctor will talk to you about what to do if you have a strong reaction.
Your doctor will slowly put more allergens into the injection or drops until your immune system becomes less sensitive to allergens. This means that your immune system will not react violently when you inhale allergens. Over time, your immune system will begin to tolerate allergens, and your allergic symptoms will improve.
Some people may not be able to get allergy shots or allergy drops. You should talk to your doctor if:
- You (or your child) have severe asthma
- You (or your child) use a type of drug called a "beta-blocker," which is used to treat high blood pressure
- You (or your child) have heart problems
- You are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- You are considering an allergy injection or allergy drops for children under 5 years of age
How is this treatment carried out?
- Allergy shots: Injections are given under the skin (usually in the upper arm) which is done at the doctor's office.
- Allergy drops: Drops of liquid are placed under the tongue and are usually taken at home.
How often is this treatment carried out?
- Allergy shots: One or more injections each time you go to the doctor's office:
- Once or twice a week for the first few months
- Once or twice a month after that
- Allergy drops: Several times a week or every day
How long do we have to carry this medication?
- Allergy shots: 3 to 5 years (or sometimes longer)
- Allergy drops: Usually 3 to 5 years (or sometimes longer)
What are the possible side effects of allergy injections and allergy drops?
Allergy shots and allergy drops are safe, and side effects are usually mild.
Common side effects from allergic injections include:
- Itching, swelling, and redness at the place where the injection was given
- Headache
- Cough
- fatigue
- Mucus drips down your throat
- Sneezing
Common side effects of allergy drops include:
- Throat irritation
- Mild swelling or itching in the mouth
Although rare, allergic injections and allergic drops can cause life-threatening allergic reactions called "anaphylaxis". Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include severe swelling of the face, throat, or tongue; itchy; skin rash; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; wheezing; dizzy; nausea; diarrhea; or loss of consciousness.
If you or your child have these symptoms after getting an allergy injection or allergic drops, contact your doctor right away. Anaphylaxis must be treated immediately with epinephrine injections, a type of hormone that regulates heart rate and respiratory passages.
What should I consider before receiving this treatment?
There are many things to think about when deciding whether allergy shots or allergy drops are right for you or your child. You might want to talk to your doctor:
- How severe are your (or your child's) allergic or asthma symptoms
- How well you can avoid or reduce allergens in your environment (for example, cleaning carpets and curtains or using air filters, cloth to cover mattresses, or special pillowcases)
- How well allergy medications (antihistamines or nasal spray steroids) work to relieve your symptoms (or your child)
- Advantages and side effects of allergic injections or allergic drops
- Which might work better to restore your allergy (or your child) allergy or asthma symptoms - allergy shots or allergy drops
- Which suits your preferences and your lifestyle - allergy shots or allergy drops
- For example, would it be easier to use allergy drops every day or go to the doctor's office several days to get an injection?
- Allergy injection or allergy drops
You may also want to ask your doctor these questions:
- What is the best way for me to avoid or reduce allergens in my environment?
- Can allergy shots or allergy drops help me (or my child)?
- Does any of my (or my child's) medical conditions affect my ability (or my child) to get an allergy injection or allergy drops?
- Which is better: allergy shots or allergy drops?
- How long does it take for allergy shots or allergy drops to begin to take effect?
- How long will I (or my child) need to get allergy shots or allergy drops?
- How long can allergic injections or allergic drops relieve my allergy symptoms or asthma (or my child)?
- How much does an allergy injection cost? How Much do Allergy Drops Cost?
- Are there any side effects that require me to contact you directly or which will require me to go to the emergency room? If so, what are the side effects? What should I do when these side effects occur?
