A 'Cure' For Chronic Allergies? Shots Help Patients Develop Long-Lasting Immunity

One in five Americans suffers from chronic allergy symptoms, and about 17 million more suffer from asthma, which often includes shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. All are symptoms which can greatly impair a person's quality of life.

Traditionally, the first thing an allergist will do is treat via avoidance - having the patient avoid the allergen trigger.

Allergy shots were first used by a physician in 1911 who injected patients with boiled grass pollen. Needless to say, a lot has changed in the past century.

Allergy shots are the only treatment for allergies and asthma that actually change the way a body's immune system reacts to allergic triggers. Many oral medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, treat only the symptoms. Allergy shots work differently.

By changing the immune response to allergens, such as pollen, cat dander or dust mites, patients can develop a long-lasting immunity.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, immunotherapy provided by qualified physicians is an effective and safe treatment for asthma, allergic rhinitis and insect venom allergy. Allergy shots cannot be used for food allergies. They are safe for both adults and children.

In addition to triggering the production of antibodies, the allergy vaccine seems to "confuse" the immune system. As the body processes the injection, the way you react to allergic triggers is changed, and it eventually turns off the antibody producing system.

A doctor might offer to describe the allergy shot process as one that slowly builds up immunity over several years. In the build-up phase, the shots are given in low doses on a more frequent basis before reaching the maintenance dose, where patients begin seeing an improvement in allergy symptoms. Despite misconceptions that allergy shots are a lifetime commitment, many doctors say most people take them about once a month for up to five years, although there are some patients who choose to continue longer.

Allergy shots are effective in 85 percent of patients, which is a tremendous percentage. It is the best treatment in the minds of numerous physicians.

So who needs allergy shots? First, an allergist will determine if a patient is truly allergic, which is usually done through skin testing that takes about 15 minutes. Patients may consider shots if the allergies are overwhelming and affecting their quality of life.

After an allergy has been identified, the severity and frequency will be assessed. Once this determination has been made, the level and type of treatment will be discussed. Once the patient has been reviewed for other complications or medical ailments, treatment can begin in an attempt to repel the allergy.