Allergies - Allergy Shots

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In this article we're going to discuss a common form of battling

allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to

build up a person's immunity to outside allergens.

A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding

the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards

allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing,

wheezing, itching and misery.

So exactly what are allergy shots? Allergy shots actually contain a

very small amount of whatever it is that you're allergic to. If you

have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor

allergies, then two shots are actually given. One for the outdoor

allergies and one for the indoor allergies.

How do allergy shots work? Well, in theory it's actually very simple.

Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering

you. When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes

antibodies to the allergen. These antibodies help block the effects

of the allergen itself. Your symptoms become less severe because the

antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens. After

taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might

start to get relief from your symptoms. This relief should last for a

very long time.

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots. They work

very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay

fever. They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and

even some drug allergies. In many people, allergy shots can greatly

improve asthma symptoms. Most people will get allergy shots after

they have exhausted every other option.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots. If you have severe

asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots. Also, if

you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn't take

allergy shots. Children under five years of age should also not get

allergy shots. Also, you shouldn't start allergy shots if you are

pregnant.

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will

first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies

you have. This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each

allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test. After

the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on

a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks

is necessary.

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them

every week or every other week. After about 6 months most people can

go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month. This

usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people

no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up

enough to the allergens.

Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have

reactions to them. If you should have a severe reaction the doctor

will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time

you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you

something to counteract it.