You sneeze a few times, your nose starts to run, and your eyes water. You may think you have a cold but after a few days, you realize that you feel fine except for these allergy symptoms.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you are not alone. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 50 million people suffer from allergies each year.
Fortunately, there’s an allergy treatment that can help you get your allergy symptoms under control: allergy immunotherapy. Also known as allergy shots, allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that can provide relief from your allergies for years to come.
It can provide long-lasting relief from seasonal allergies and put an end to your suffering once and for all. Let’s take a closer look at this life-changing treatment.
What are Allergies ?
Allergies are caused when your body’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance—such as pollen or pet dander—that it perceives as harmful. When you come in contact with the allergen, your immune system releases chemicals such as histamines which cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
There are different things that may be the reason for allergies but some of the most common things include pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and certain foods “Food Allergies: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments”. Insect stings can also cause allergic reactions in some people. The good news is that there are many ways to treat allergies and relieve the symptoms.
Symptoms of Allergies
Every person is different and may have different reactions to a particular allergen but some of the most common symptoms include sneezing; coughing; runny nose; watery eyes; itching; hives; swelling; difficulty breathing; and dizziness or light-headedness. In some cases, anaphylaxis can occur which is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
Anaphylaxis occurs when the airways swell shut making it difficult to breathe. Other symptoms include a drop in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and nausea or vomiting. If you think you are having an anaphylactic reaction, call 911 immediately.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Allergies
If you suspect that you have allergies <link to the article “Types of Allergies & Treatments”, the best thing to do is to see an allergist who will perform allergy tests to determine what you are allergic to.
Once the allergens have been identified, there are many treatment options available including over-the-counter and prescription medications as well as allergy shots (immunotherapy).
For some people with mild allergies, avoiding exposure to the allergen is enough to control their symptoms. However, for others who suffer from more severe allergies or who have multiple allergies, medication may be necessary to keep their symptoms under control.
What is Allergy Immunotherapy ?
Allergy immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps your body build immunity to the things you’re allergic to. It’s also sometimes called “desensitization” or “hypo-sensitization.”
The most common form of allergy immunotherapy is allergy shots, which are injections of tiny amounts of the allergens you’re sensitive to. Over time, as your body becomes less sensitive to the allergens, the symptoms of your allergies will lessen or even go away completely.
Allergy immunotherapy can also be administered in sublingual form (under the tongue) or via oral tablets.
How Does Allergy Immunotherapy Work ?
The goal of allergy immunotherapy is to change the way your immune system responds to allergens. When you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts to things that aren’t actually harmful, like pollen or pet dander.
This overreaction causes the release of chemicals like histamine, which leads to all sorts of unpleasant symptoms, like sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose. With allergy immunotherapy, you’re exposed to increasingly larger amounts of the allergens you’re sensitive to.
This helps your body build up immunity and tolerance to those allergens so that when you’re exposed to them in real life, your immune system doesn’t overreact. And that means no more allergy symptoms!
Is Allergy Immunotherapy Safe ?
Yes! Allergy immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for allergies. In fact, it’s the only treatment that actually changes the way your body responds to allergens and can provide long-lasting relief from seasonal allergies.
Thousands of people receive allergy shots every year with few side effects. The most common side effect is redness or swelling at the injection site; more rarely, people may experience itching, hives, wheezing, or nausea immediately after receiving an injection.
These side effects are usually mild and go away quickly on their own. If you experience more severe side effects—like difficulty breathing—you should seek medical attention immediately.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, immunotherapy has proved to be very useful for a number of people, being completely safe and effective. It can provide long-lasting relief by changing the way your body responds to allergens.
So, if you suffer from seasonal allergies, don’t despair! There is hope in the form of allergy immunotherapy. if you’re ready to say goodbye to sneezing and watery eyes for good, talk to your doctor about allergy immunotherapy today!