• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Allergy / Do Allergy Shots Work?

Do Allergy Shots Work?

African American children have a higher rate of food allergies than children of other races. About 5.6 million children under the age of 18 in the U.S. have food allergies, according to FARE (Food & Allergy Research Education).

On top of that, many people suffer from outdoor allergies that can be mild in some months and severe in others depending on the weather.

Having an allergic reaction means your immune system is reacting to a foreign substance. In turn, your immune system will respond by manufacturing antibodies that react to a substance called an allergen. Even though the immune system is mistaken, it will react by attacking the allergen and identifying it as harmful. This may cause your body to have a negative reaction that inflames your skin, airways or digestive system.

You may also have allergy-like reactions to hot or cold temperatures, sunlight, or other environmental triggers. You are more likely to develop allergies if your parents, especially your mother, has them. Allergies can also make medical conditions such as sinus problems, eczema, and asthma worse.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

There are several methods of treatment that can lessen or eliminate your allergies, but the best solution is to always avoid what is triggering your allergies whenever possible. Methods of treatment include: nasal sprays, skin creams, eye drops, allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or allergy drops) and oral medication.

Subcutaneous immunotherapy, another term for allergy shots, is done under the skin and is designed to reduce allergy symptoms and severity. Some people who got allergy shots saw their allergies stop altogether.

How do they work?

Allergy shots train your immune system to not react to substances you’re allergic to by gradually exposing it to those specific substances. You will see an allergist for several years and receive injections with specific allergens. Your first dose will be limited and your allergist will gradually increase it over time with the goal being to create desensitization to the allergen.

In the beginning, you will go through a “build-up phase” where you see your allergist once or twice weekly to build up the amount of allergen in your system. Eventually, you will reach the maintenance phase, which is the maximum dose. This phase lasts about three to five years depending on your allergist’s recommendation for the best therapeutic benefit and long-term relief of your symptoms. Your visits to the allergist will also decrease over time until you are only going once a month.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease
Continue Reading

The Latest In Allergy

allergies

7 Ways You’re Making Your Allergies Worse

Are dry, itchy eyes hiding behind those dope sunglasses? The warmer months can be brutal for anyone with seasonal allergies, and summer fun-in-the-sun may bring even more allergy symptoms. If you've noticed that your allergies go into high gear this read more about 7 Ways You’re Making Your Allergies Worse
Swollen Eyes

Got Allergies? 6 Tips To Relieve Swollen Eyes

In need of some allergy relief for your eyes? When spring arrives, summer flowers bloom, and fall leaves hit the ground, count on allergens to be an integral part of the action. And that’s only on the outside. Inside, allergens read more about Got Allergies? 6 Tips To Relieve Swollen Eyes
how to allergy proof your home

How To Allergy-Proof Your Home

If you have hay fever or allergic asthma, take a few steps to reduce allergens in your home. Some steps to reduce indoor allergens are complicated and time-consuming — but there are some easy things you can do that may read more about How To Allergy-Proof Your Home
allergy season

Allergy Season Is Near: Be Prepared

Allergy season is a perennial annoyance, but if you're focusing on the pandemic, they still could catch you by surprise, an expert says. "People still have COVID on their minds," says Dr. Mark Corbett, president of the American College of read more about Allergy Season Is Near: Be Prepared
allergies

Rain or Shine, Allergies Are Tough. What’s the Link to Weather?

If you think frequent changes in weather are triggering your allergies, you may be right. A shift from a cold front to a rainy day then back to warm weather can have an impact on those with allergies, says Dr. David read more about Rain or Shine, Allergies Are Tough. What’s the Link to Weather?
allergic asthma

Climate Change May Not Increase Allergies in Kids With Asthma

While climate change gets a lot of notice for its numerous negative impacts around the globe, children's allergies may not be among them. Despite climate change, with the longer growing seasons and larger pollen loads that are attributed to it, read more about Climate Change May Not Increase Allergies in Kids With Asthma

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.