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About
Allergy Shots
Allergy Shots-are
they right for you?
Before we
can answer this question we have to determine the nature of your symptoms
and identify other causes for your symptoms. While nasal congestion
may be due to allergies it could also be due to nasal polyps or a
deviated nasal septum. A detailed history with allergy testing and
sinus evaluation will help you determine whether your primary problem
is allergic, anatomic or infectious. Properly selected patients usually
have an excellent response to therapy.
Immunotherapy,
also known as allergy shots, has been an effective means of controlling
allergy symptoms for almost one century. In 1911, Dr.
Leonard Noon described the first successful treatment of hayfever
(Noon L: Prophylactic inoculation against hayfever, Lancet 1572-2,
1911). Since then, millions of allergy sufferers have experienced
significant improvement in their symptoms as a result of this therapy.
Allergy
shots are injections of purified allergens (such as pollens, molds
and pet dander). With injections of gradually increasing amounts
of allergen the body becomes hyposensitized (much less allergic).
Most people (approximately 85%) experience symptomatic relief to
the point that they can at least reduce their intake of allergy
medications. However, allergy shots for most people are not
a 100% cure. They can significantly improve quality of life
and studies have shown that the benefit of allergy shots can continue
for years after shots are discontinued.
The ideal
patient for starting shots is:
Contraindications
to allergy shots
Risks
Because
you are receiving injections of the very things to which you are
allergic, there is a chance that you may have an allergic reaction
(rarely this may be severe) to a shot. For this reason all
patients must wait 20 minutes after each injection and have their
arms checked before leaving. You may also experience local
swelling at the site of the shot. Please inform the staff
if you have had any delayed reaction to the previous shot.
Alternatives
The
best treatment for any allergy is avoidance of the trigger.
Depending upon the nature of your allergy symptoms, medication and
allergen avoidance (where possible) are practical options.
Newer allergy treatments (Xolair) may be an excellent choice for
some patients.
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