Some allergies might be so severe that they have you considering allergy shots for your child. Allergies can be a nuisance, especially if medications aren't working or repeated exposure to the cause of the allergy can't be avoided. Some allergies will respond well to shots, others will not.
Prevention First
With allergies, the first line of defense should be to identify the cause of the allergy and then to avoid it. This may not be possible for outdoor seasonal allergies, as children play outside often, and the pollen or ragweed is carried through the air on the breeze.
Indoor allergies to dust, mold, pet dander, or cockroaches could be reduced by removing or greatly lowering the level of these inside the house. But a severe indoor allergy will cause sensitivity to even the smallest amount of these substances, and cleaning won't solve it completely. Insect bite allergies, especially life-threatening allergies to bee stings, are difficult to avoid, and if a reaction occurs, instant treatment must be provided. Unfortunately, food allergies cannot be helped by allergy shots.
The second line of defense for reducing allergies is medication. Claritin and modern allergy medications such as Singular can be effective against seasonal allergies, reducing symptoms and keeping mental clarity. But if these medications aren't working for your child, and the repeated exposure to the allergen is a problem, it may be a good idea to consider allergy shots.
Taking a Shot
Allergy shots are safe for children. They can help a child develop immunity to the allergen, but it takes persistence and time. First, the cause of the allergy needs to be positively identified. This is easily done, and takes around 20 minutes. Then, there will be a regular series of shots over a period of several years to train the body to build up adequate immune defenses against the allergen.
These shots are done in two steps. The first step is the "buildup phase." This involves giving small and increasing doses of the allergen in shots for the body to get used to fighting the allergen without reacting to it. Shots for this phase may be required one to three times per week for several months, usually three to seven. In essence, this works like a vaccination.
The next phase is the maintenance phase. Once the body has built up a significant amount of immunity to the allergen, these levels must be maintained. In order to help the body maintain the levels of allergy resistance, monthly shots need to be taken for about three years.
Side effects of allergy shots are usually minimal. They could range from irritation at the location of the shot to a mild allergic reaction such as hives or cold symptoms. In very rare cases, the anaphylaxis is possible, but it would happen within the first 15 minutes of treatment, and the antidote would be right there in the doctor's office.
Allergy shots are a serious commitment, and children may be afraid of shots. On the other hand, the benefits (possibly life-saving in the case of insect sting allergies) may be worth the effort. Relief can be life-long once the process is complete. Finally, check if your health insurance covers the cost of the shots.
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