What Is Immunotherapy? When Do You Need to Take Extra Steps to Address Allergies?
Do you have symptoms or indications of allergic reactions, such as a runny nose or mucus in your throat, throughout the year? Is there a specific time of the year where your allergies make it difficult or impossible to engage in the normal activities of daily life? Has your sleep been affected because you find yourself stuffy or congested, struggling to breathe? Do you suffer from chronic headaches or persistent sinus infections? Do you take anti-histamines, such as Claritin®, Allegra® or Zyrtec, without much relief?
If you can answer affirmatively to any of the above questions, you may be a candidate for allergy immunotherapy.
What Is Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy is a treatment option for individuals who have allergic reactions to specific substances. The process involves giving a person incrementally increased doses of the specific allergen, thereby reducing the immune system’s sensitivity to the substance, and often producing an antibody that can minimize or eliminate allergic reactions. Allergic immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of allergies, including grass, pollens, dust mites, animal hair and bee venom.
Before you start allergy immunotherapy, you’ll work with a medical professional to identify the specific substances that trigger a reaction. Allergy immunotherapy is typically not a general treatment for allergies, but is used when a patient exhibits sensitivity to select allergens.
How Is Allergy Immunotherapy Administered?
There are generally two different methods used in immunotherapy:
- Allergy shots—Also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), this involves injecting small amounts of an allergen into the body with a needle
- Allergy tablets—Referred to as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), this process involves placing a tablet under your tongue
Contact Core Medical Center Today
At Core Medical Center, with offices in Blue Springs, Missouri, we offer a number of effective treatments for tendonitis and bursitis, including tendon sheath and bursae injections. contact us online or call our offices at (816) 336-9970 to schedule an appointment.
