Allergy immunotherapy can seem like a scary prospect. You might’ve heard various unsettling rumors about this treatment. Or, you might simply be unfamiliar with its ins and outs. Either way, these misconceptions can make the prospect of getting allergy shots for your child overwhelming.
We’re here to debunk a few of these common myths and explain the basics of allergy shots to help you determine whether this treatment is right for your kiddo. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Allergy Shots
Allergy shots are a type of allergy immunotherapy (AIT) that delivers doses of an allergen via an injection. These shots, just like allergy immunotherapy as a whole, are designed to “train” your body to become less reactive to a particular allergen through repeated exposure.
This exposure, over time, can help your child’s body build an allergen-specific tolerance. With consistency and time, those small, incrementally increasing doses of the allergen delivered under your child’s skin can reduce or even eliminate allergy symptoms.
It’s a powerful treatment, regardless of age. Of course, everybody is different, so results can vary. Generally, it takes two to three years for the best results to appear.
5 Myths Surrounding Allergy Shots For Kiddos
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding allergy shots out there. Here are a few you might’ve heard of:
Myth 1: Allergy shots are the same as traditional allergy treatments.
Allergy shots have to be the same thing as regular ‘ol allergy treatments, right? Nope! While this particular treatment emerged over 100 years ago (and could be considered traditional), most people are talking about antihistamines, corticosteroids, and decongestants when they say “traditional allergy medications.”
Those solutions, while effective, only offer short-term relief. Allergy immunotherapy, on the other hand, offers a long-term solution with lasting relief. While it takes time to see those results, they tend to stick around much longer than the effects of over-the-counter medications.
Myth 2: Allergy shots are a quick fix.
While it would be great if they were, allergy shots aren’t a quick fix. Instead, they take time and consistency to deliver noticeable results. After all, your kiddo’s immune system can’t transform overnight—that takes time.
So, if you’re looking for a quick fix, allergy shots might not be your best bet. You’ll need to commit to the long haul in order to see solid, noticeable improvements in your child’s allergies. If you need results now, antihistamines, corticosteroids, or decongestants might be a good fit, but if you’re willing to put in the effort for long-term relief, allergy shots are well worth it.
Myth 3: Allergy shots don’t actually work.
Allergies can’t be cured—it’s true. But the claim that allergy shots don’t actually work is entirely false. They’ve proven time and time again to be highly effective in combating allergies in people from all walks of life. There are hundreds of studies and trials out there that document this efficacy, many of which are available online.
For example, consider this European study, which compared AIT-treated individuals to a control group. It found that the treated group was substantially more likely to step down asthma treatment and consistently associated with significant drops in allergic rhinitis and asthma prescriptions than the control group.
Myth 4: Allergy shots only work for seasonal allergies.
This statement is partially true. After all, allergy shots do work for seasonal allergies. But, of course, their abilities don’t end there. They can treat much more than seasonal allergies! The list of treatable allergens includes all sorts of substances, including pet dander, dust mites, mold, bee venom, and northern pasture grasses.
Myth 5: Allergy shots are a new and untested treatment.
As a parent, trying a new treatment for your kiddo can be scary, especially if there isn’t much research on it. These concerns are completely valid for many treatments. However, allergy shots aren’t new and untested. Instead, they’ve been extensively studied since AIT’s introduction in 1911.
In the many, many decades since then, researchers and healthcare professionals have picked apart the treatment, learning the ins and outs of its efficacy. And what did they find? The incredible efficacy this treatment offers in addressing allergies.
Today, there are hundreds of studies out there demonstrating the real-world applications of allergy immunotherapy and how it has helped thousands of people. For example, these research and clinical trials found that allergy shots could effectively achieve an allergen-specific tolerance that remained for many years after the treatment was discontinued.
The research is astounding. If you want to learn more about a specific type of AIT or how it can treat different allergens, you’ll have no shortage of resources.
Allergy Shots for Kiddos: In a Nutshell
While allergy shots might seem like a scary prospect, they’re a well-studied and effective solution to allergies, even for children. Whether your child is allergic to pet dander or bee venom, these shots can be a great way to combat the annoying symptoms that often follow exposure.
As with any change in your child’s medical care, remember to chat with your child’s pediatrician first. They can help you determine the best treatment based on your child’s needs and medical history.
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