Types of Allergy Injections
Allergies can cause symptoms that can disrupt your quality of life. From sneezing to asthma, an allergic reaction can trigger many uncomfortable symptoms. While medication for temporary relief is available, allergen immunotherapy treatment in Navi Mumbai is a long-term solution for people who get frequent episodes of allergic reactions.
In this post, we’ve explained different types of allergy injections, their purpose, benefits, and side effects. Before that, let’s take a quick look at the meaning of these allergy shots.
Allergy Shots: What Are They and How Do They Work
Immunoshots are administered over a long period, typically lasting between 3 and 5 years. These are designed to offer significant relief from your allergy symptoms by introducing allergens to your immune system.
In other words, allergy shots help your immune system become less reactive to allergens, increasing its tolerance to a small amount of the substance you are allergic to. The amount of allergen gradually increases, making your immune system used to the substance. Thus, it doesn’t react to it.
Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
For people allergic to pet dander, dust, mites, and pollen, Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) is an effective form of immunotherapy. It’s delivered through the arm under your skin. As mentioned above, the treatment involves injecting a certain amount of allergen into your body. Its limit increases every 2-3 months or sooner, as recommended by your allergist.
Benefits
- Highly effective in reducing your allergy symptoms
- Prevents new allergy
- Offer long-term relief
Risks
- The injection site might hurt for a short while. Some people may develop redness or swelling from frequent shots.
- Congestion
- Skin reaction
The most severe risk associated with Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) is anaphylaxis, although it’s very rare. If it’s triggered, the patient may experience symptoms ranging from a simple skin reaction to more severe issues, such as cardiovascular problems or loss of consciousness. It’s therefore advisable to have these shots administered by a professional allergist in Navi Mumbai.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
A modern approach to delivering allergy shots to patients is sublingual immunotherapy. As the name suggests, the procedure replaces needles with a medication or drops that are placed under the tongue, and are absorbed by the body. It’s effective for dust mites and grass pollens. The treatment begins 3-4 months before the allergic season.
The entire treatment may last between 3 and 5 years. The first dose is given in your doctor’s office. Once you understand how to take the medication, you can do it at home. What makes it different from Subcutaneous Immunotherapy is that it involves no needles and has a lower risk of side effects.
Benefits
- Great option for children who dislike injectable shots
- Minimal risk of side effects
- Safe for children and adults
- Work on different types of allergens.
Conclusion
Both options listed above are designed to offer lasting relief from allergic symptoms. If you develop allergies frequently and are too tired of taking medication, you can consider these immunotherapy options. They will make your body tolerant to the particular substance you are allergic to.
