For millions of Americans, allergies are a persistent and often frustrating part of everyday life. From seasonal allergies to more severe reactions, individuals suffering from allergies are all too familiar with the sneezing, itching, and overall discomfort that comes with them.
Fortunately, advances in medical science have provided allergy sufferers with new options for relief. One of these options is immunotherapy, also known as allergy injections.
In this article, we will explore the different type of allergy injections and its role in overcoming allergies, and how they can help you find relief from your symptoms.
Before delving into the specifics of immunotherapy, it's essential to understand how allergies work and the immune system's role in them. Allergies are the result of the immune system overreacting to a typically harmless substance (known as an allergen).
When the immune system encounters an allergen, it triggers an inflammatory response, releasing chemicals such as histamines, which cause the familiar symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Immunotherapy or allergy shots work by gradually exposing the immune system to increasing amounts of the allergen responsible for the allergic reaction.
This controlled exposure helps the immune system to become less sensitive to the allergen, ultimately reducing the severity of allergic reactions and, in some cases, even eliminating them.
The process of receiving immunotherapy begins with a series of tests to determine the specific allergens causing your allergic reactions.
Once these allergens are identified, your allergist will create a personalized treatment plan to help desensitize your immune system to these substances. This treatment plan will typically involve a series of injections, with each shot containing a small amount of the allergen.
Immunotherapy is typically administered in two phases—the build-up phase and the maintenance phase. During the build-up phase, you will receive injections regularly, usually one to three times a week, with the allergen dose gradually increasing.
This phase can last anywhere from three to six months. Once the effective therapeutic dose is reached, you will enter the maintenance phase, during which you will receive injections less frequently, typically once every two to four weeks.
The maintenance phase can last several years, depending on the individual and the severity of their allergies.
There are several benefits to using allergy injections as a form of allergy treatment:
Unlike allergy medications, which only temporarily relieve symptoms, allergy shots can provide long-term relief from allergies. Many individuals experience a significant reduction in their allergy symptoms after completing a course of immunotherapy, with some even achieving complete remission of their allergies.
As immunotherapy helps decrease the severity of allergic reactions, many individuals need fewer allergy medications to manage their symptoms. This can be particularly beneficial for those who experience side effects from medications or who prefer to use as few medications as possible.
Allergies can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, from limiting outdoor activities to causing sleep disturbances. Immunotherapy injections can help to alleviate these issues, allowing allergy sufferers to enjoy a better quality of life.
Research has shown that immunotherapy injections can help to prevent the development of new allergies in children and may even help to prevent the onset of asthma in those with a family history of the condition.
Allergy shots are the most common form of immunotherapy and have been used for over a century to treat various allergies. This treatment method involves injecting small amounts of allergens under the skin, usually in the upper arm. The dose is gradually increased over time, allowing the body to become less sensitive to the allergens and ultimately reducing or eliminating allergy symptoms.
Allergy shots have proven effective in treating various allergies, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic asthma, and insect sting allergies.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternative to allergy injections that involves placing a tablet or allergy drops containing the allergen under the tongue. This method allows the allergen to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. SLIT can be administered at home, making it a more convenient option for many allergy sufferers.
SLIT has been proven effective in treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. It is also being studied as a potential treatment for food allergies, such as peanut and milk allergies.
Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a relatively new form of immunotherapy that involves ingesting small amounts of allergens as a pill or liquid.
Like SLIT, this method allows the allergen to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. However, because the allergen must pass through the digestive system, there is a slightly higher risk of side effects.
OIT is effective in treating food allergies, including peanut, milk, and egg allergies. However, it has yet to be widely available and is typically only offered at specialized allergy clinics.
Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) is another emerging form of immunotherapy that involves applying a patch containing allergens to the skin. The allergens are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, helping to build up the body's tolerance to the allergens over time.
EPIT is currently being studied as a potential treatment for a variety of allergies, including food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and allergic asthma. While initial studies have shown promising results, more research is needed before this treatment method becomes widely available.
Allergy injections offer a promising and effective treatment option for allergies. By gradually exposing the immune system to the allergens responsible for allergic reactions, these shots can help reduce symptoms' severity and provide long-term relief.
If you are struggling with allergies and are interested in exploring immunotherapy as a treatment option, consult with a qualified allergist to determine if this approach is right for you. With the right treatment plan in place, allergy sufferers can finally experience the relief they have been searching for.
If you’re looking for different types of allergy injection services, you’re in the right place. At Curex, we aim to help stop allergies at the source. We offer a convenient alternative to time-consuming and inconvenient allergy shots. Our at-home sublingual immunotherapy is easy to administer and may be done in the comfort of your home.
Contact us today to learn more and get started! You can also take our free quiz to find out whether immunotherapy suits you.
