Whether it’s for dust, mold, pets, or something seasonal in the air, allergies tend to become more severe as we age. Treatments and preventative measures that would traditionally work to manage symptoms may not do the trick anymore.
If that or other methods of keeping allergies under control aren’t working anymore, you may want to talk to your doctor about allergy shots.
Onondaga Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at how allergy shots work and whether they could be the right treatment for you.
How Do Allergy Shots Work?
If you’re a candidate for allergy shots, you will first undergo testing to determine what exactly you are allergic to. Once those results are in, a personalized concoction will be developed to give you in gradually increasing doses, usually for a period of three to five years.
The shots contain tiny amounts of what you are allergic to—not enough to have a reaction but with the goal of your body’s defenses being able to fight it off. In that aspect, it’s similar to how a vaccine works. As the regimen goes on, you develop an immunity or tolerance despite being given larger doses, and the goal is that you can then naturally tolerate the allergen in the natural environment and will no longer need the shots or any medication.
What Can an Allergy Shot Help Prevent?
Allergy shots do not work for those allergic to food, latex, or medicines. They are best for the following allergies:
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Cat or dog dander
- Pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses
You will also want to have a discussion with your primary care physician and an allergist about whether you are a good candidate for allergy shots. This treatment isn’t recommended for some older people who have heart disease or other medical issues. It’s also not recommended for children under five.
To learn more about Onondaga Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://onondaga-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
