How to Desensitize an Allergy
Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can desensitize you against allergies of many types. When you get allergy shots, a small amount of the offending allergen is injected into your body. This helps your body become desensitized against the allergen over time.
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Things You'll Need
- A list of your allergy symptoms and what you think caused them
- Allergy testing by your doctor or allergist
- Allergy shots by your doctor or allergist
Instructions
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Desensitizing You Against Allergies
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You will first need to be tested for the specific allergies that are causing your problems. Tell your doctor about your symptoms and what you think might be causing your allergies. Your doctor will then do skin pricks on your forearm or back and place a drop of the suspected allergen(s) on each of the places where your skin was pricked. If you get a red, raised bump, then you are allergic to the substance. Your doctor will then prepare your allergy shots based on the results of your allergy test.
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Before you get your allergy shots, tell your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking. Medicines such as beta blockers can cause problems with the effectiveness of the shots. If you take a rescue asthma medicine, be sure to bring it with you to your allergy shot appointment in case you have an adverse reaction to the injection.
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Your allergy injections will contain doses of the allergens you are sensitive to. You doctor will give you allergy shots over a series of appointments (twice a month for two to five years). He will give you gradually increasing doses of the allergens to build up your immunity to the allergen, which will desensitize you against the allergen.
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You could have some redness or swelling where the shot is injected, but this should go away within eight hours. You will need to remain in your doctor's office after your allergy shot for about 30 minutes to make sure you don't have any adverse effects.
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If you have an allergic reaction after you leave the doctor's office, take an antihistamine. If you have asthma, use your asthma rescue medicine. If you have a respiratory emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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