A lot of people struggle with allergies, especially during the spring and fall when there are more allergens in the air. The most common thing for people with allergies to do when they’re hit with a serious case of sniffles and itchy, watery eyes is to pick out some allergy medication at their local pharmacy. While allergy pills can help offer some relief, their abilities are limited, and the long-lasting relief that people with allergies are looking for might still be out of reach.
Visiting a board-certified allergist is the best strategy for putting your allergies to rest. When you visit a board-certified allergist, they’ll be able to work with you to find the best possible strategy for tackling your allergies.
One of the most effective tools available for lessening the effects of allergies is immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. We all probably have a less than positive view of shots, but immunotherapy is an easier way to tackle your allergies. Allergy shots are not any more intensive than a regular shot at your doctor’s office. They’re an effective way to lessen the effects of your allergies, and when administered by a board-certified allergist, they can help you become less allergic over time.
As with any form of allergy care, there are some pros and cons to allergy shots. First, we’ll start with the pros of immunotherapy. People with allergies who undergo immunotherapy feel better because their allergies can lessen over time. This is because there is a 70% less effect of allergies and asthma in patients who undergo immunotherapy. If that’s not enough to convince you, people with allergies also enjoy the freedom of not having to use as much allergy medication. Patients often use 50% less allergy medication than before they received immunotherapy. Using less medication means saving money, too, and immunotherapy patients also enjoy the benefit of saving money in the long run.
While immunotherapy patients save money on allergy medication in the long run, one of the cons of allergy shots is the immediate upfront cost. Visiting a board-certified allergist who will administer allergy shots in a clinical setting costs more than a bottle of allergy pills. This upfront cost can dissuade some people, but the long-term view shows the investment in immunotherapy pays off. Paying for allergy shots and treating the secondary sinus infections, ear infections, and asthma flares ends up costing less than buying hundreds of bottles of allergy pills over a lifetime. Rarely, allergy shots can cause an allergic reaction so they must be administered in a medical setting. The biggest side effect though is that you’ll likely loose “sneezy” or “wheezy” as your nickname!
Immunotherapy is an effective way for reducing the severity of allergies. If you’re sick of being bogged down with allergies, allergy shots might be the right thing for you. You can say goodbye to itchy, watery eyes and constant sneezing, and you can greatly reduce the amount of medication you take. If you’re interested in learning more about allergy shots, contact Dakota Allergy & Asthma to schedule an appointment!
SUMMARY
A lot of people struggle with allergies, and most look for allergy pills at their local pharmacy to make their symptoms better. If you’re looking for a better long-term solution, though, immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, are a more effective option. Allergy shots cost more upfront than allergy pills, but they’ll save you money on pill in the long run. Immunotherapy is also a great way to reduce the amount of medication you need for allergies, all while greatly reducing the effects of your allergies.
