Allergy Shots
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 

If medications are not relieving your allergy symptoms,  you may consider taking allergy shots.  Dr. Ken Davis covers this in the Sixty Second Housecall.

Some allergy sufferers take shots to prevent their symptoms. An allergic reaction is your immune system recognizing a substance as foreign. The immune system can be de-sensitized to these allergens by repeated small exposures.

First, your physician will do skin testing to determine what you are allergic to and how strong the immune response is. He may then prescribe shots containing small amounts of these allergens. These concentrations will gradually increase as your immune system becomes de-sensitized. Once you tolerate an optimal dose of the allergens, you may get maintenance shots at less frequent intervals. The initial shots are given in the physician’s office to be sure they are tolerated well. After this, you may be taught to give your own shots at home.

Allergy shots are highly effective for allergies to pollens, animal dander and house dust. Shots may not be as effective against allergies to molds or foods.

If you suffer from allergies that are not improved with avoidance techniques and occasional medications, ask your physician about desensitization shots.

For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.