Allergy Immunotherapy: Benefits versus Side Effects

Immunotherapy is considered a viable option for treating allergies and related conditions. Yet many people who might benefit from immunotherapy hesitate to undertake this therapeutic course for fear of experiencing side effects. In fact, the chances are greater that no adverse reactions will occur.

Individual susceptibility to side effects in allergy immunotherapy vary. Physicians stagger the dosage of the substance to be administered in order to test for tolerance, or its inverse, susceptibility to side effects. They may ask you to stay on after injection for half an hour so they can monitor you for any adverse reaction.

Some of the more common side effects of allergy immunotherapy are itching and irritation around the area of the skin that was pricked by the needle. A lump, which can be itchy, may develop in this area. These symptoms usually disappear after a short time. If the symptoms grow slightly more severe, the doctor may lower the dosage of your shots next time.

Allergy Immunotherapy: Benefits versus Side EffectsLess common reactions to immunotherapy are major swelling, bruising, colds, and symptoms associated with asthma or hay fever in the hours ensuing the injection, as well as tiredness the next day and onwards.

The more serious reactions occur in a small minority of patients. These include swelling of the throat, dizziness and low blood pressure, severe wheezing and other symptoms associated with asthma.

It is these side effects that the doctors are on the lookout for when they request that you stay on for another half hour after your injection has been administered. Complying should not be considered an annoying inconvenience on your part. Though the possibility is small, it may save your life!

Some specialists may give the patient an antihistamine before administering the allergy immunotherapy shot. This procedure is said to be an effective way of eliminating side effects.

Anxiety about possible side effects of immunotherapy should not deter anyone from going through an allergy immunotherapy shots program. The benefits of this excellent treatment option for allergies far outweigh the risk of serious adverse reactions. There are also enough safeguards in place to keep any situation from turning into a major medical emergency.


Allergy Immunotherapy: Benefits versus Side Effects - Google Blog Search
Google Blog Search Results: 220 results for Allergy Immunotherapy: Benefits versus Side Effects - showing 1 through 10

Diabetes: New Vaccine May Help Type 1 Diabetics in Future
The hope is that the vaccine he and his team developed -- which was administered the first day of the study and then again at day 30 -- will work in a similar manner to allergy immunotherapy and help the body learn to tolerate GAD again ...
Allergies: FDA Approves Nasacort AQ for Children 2-5 Years Old
And in doing so?.Produces Lasting, If not LifeTime > Allergy Free Health and Quality of Life Benefits. Until recently, Allergy ImmunoTherapy was ONLY available via Traditional Allergy SHOTs. Needless to say, ...
Leukine (Sargramostim) Drug Information: Uses, Side Effects, Drug ...
If you are concerned about any other side effects or symptoms you may be having, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. ALLERGY TO LEUKINE. A generalized allergy is an uncommon but potentially serious reaction to LEUKINE. ...
Dr. Neil Kao's Allergy and Asthma Website: Spacers for asthma inhalers
If you use an inhaler with HFA propellant, consider a spacer for greater efficiency to increase the amount of medication going into the lungs while reducing the side effects from medication going on the tongue and throat. ...
Eloxatin (Oxaliplatin Injection) Drug Information: Uses, Side ...
Learn about the prescription medication Eloxatin (Oxaliplatin Injection), drug uses, dosage, side effects, drug interactions, warnings, and patient labeling.