Allergy shots are an effective treatment for allergies, but there are potential side effects you should be aware of before beginning the treatment. The same applies to oral immunotherapy (OIT) and medication desensitization. Knowing what reactions to look out for and how to avoid them is key in making sure you get the best possible results from your allergy shots or any other desensitization process. Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, are injections given to people with allergies in order to reduce their sensitivity to allergens. The allergy shot is made up of small amounts of allergens that trigger the immune system’s response. Over time, the body becomes less sensitive to these allergens and the allergic reaction decreases. This can result in relief from symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and more.
Adverse Reactions To Allergy Shots
Although most people don’t experience any adverse reactions when receiving allergy shots, some people may experience mild side effects such as redness or swelling at the injection site. In rare cases, however, more severe allergic reactions can occur such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis—a severe reaction that requires immediate medical attention. It is important to be aware of these potential risks when considering this form of treatment.
Tips To Avoid Adverse Reactions
There are certain steps you can take to minimize your risk of having an adverse reaction when receiving allergy shots. First and foremost, it is essential that you communicate any allergies you have with your doctor prior to beginning treatment so they can adjust your dosage accordingly. Not only that, but please tell your doctor or allergy shot nurse about any reactions you have after your shots. No reaction is too small, and you’re not a bother to let us know if you experience any reaction, not just the weird ones. Additionally, it is important to stay for at least 30 minutes after receiving each shot in case any reactions occur so they can be managed quickly and effectively by medical personnel if necessary. Finally, make sure that your doctor knows if there has been any change in your health since beginning treatment such as changes in medication or new illnesses—this could affect how your body reacts to the shots and should be discussed with them prior to continuing with treatment. (or getting a shot in the first place)
- Other tips to avoid adverse reactions–>
- First of all, make sure that you keep track of your injection schedule so that you know when you’re due for a shot. If you’re late on an allergy shot or dose of OIT, your doctor will want to make a dose adjustment to prevent more reactions.
- Inform your doctor if you’ve recently been ill or had any other changes in your health since your last shot so that they can adjust the dose accordingly.
- Be sure to wait at least 15 minutes after receiving a shot before leaving the doctor’s office in case an unexpected reaction develops.
- Some patients will need to “pre-medicate” with antihistamines in order to minimize the risk of a reaction.
- Get creative with local reactions–some patients may prefer one arm over the other, and some even like the hips!
Conclusion:
Allergy shots are a safe and effective way to manage allergies but it is important to be aware of potential adverse reactions before receiving a shot. By following the above steps and closely monitoring any changes in your health following a shot, you can reduce your risk of experiencing an unpleasant reaction and enjoy the full benefits of allergy shots without further complication. If an adverse reaction does occur however, be sure to contact your doctor right away for further advice on how best to proceed with treatment going forward.
TulsaAllergyNews 