Archive for June, 2008

Receiving Allergy Shots Is No Fun!

Sunday, June 29th, 2008
by Dorothy Medlum

Allergies can be very painful for millions of people. As they live with debilitating allergies, their quality of life is affected by symptoms that accompany these allergies. Some of the symptoms that can be caused by these allergies 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 is it that they work?

When a person first receives the allergy 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 people receive allergy shots is to pollen allergies such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Asthma has been noted to improve in some patients who have taken allergy shots.

If someone suffers form severe asthma or heart disease, allergy shots are not recommended. If pregnant, you must consult your doctor to see if you can continue your shots. Children who are under the age of five years old should not receive these shots either.

If a person suffers from asthma or heart disease of other heart-related problems, the allergy shots are not recommended. If children are under the age of five, they should not receive the shots either. During pregnancy, allergy shots should not be started. Due to the unknown effects it may have upon the unborn child, this is not recommended. If your doctor decides the allergy shots are right for you, an allergy test will be administered to determine the causes of your allergies. The skin test can be performed as well. The shots are typically started about twice a week and then after six months. One can begin maintenance shots once a month, after that. Receiving allergy shots should be carefully planned and though about with one’s physician before beginning this regime.

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