Allergy Shots
Allergy shots provide an incredible option for people who suffer from allergies that intrude on their life. Allergy shots can reduce, or even remove, your allergy, improving your quality of life. However, you may be hesitant to take advantage of allergy shots due to potential side effects. Is there any risk of receiving these shots? This guide, and an allergist in Gainesville, VA from Black & Kletz Allergy, will give you your answer.
Side Effects
Allergy shots actually have very few or no side effects in the vast majority of cases. Before you start receiving shots, you will have to take a skin allergy test, which lets the doctor know exactly how big the doses should be in the shots. This means that the shots are specially crafted to avoid all side effects. However, in very rare cases, you may experience some side effects, which include all the normal side effects when suffering from your allergies. These include:
- Itchiness
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Watery or itchy eyes
- Sneezing
If you do experience these symptoms, they will be minor and usually go away after about 24 hours. You should expect these symptoms to be no worse than when you are exposed to your allergen in normal circumstances. If you do experience any of these symptoms after receiving an allergy shot, be sure to tell your doctor as soon as possible so your next shot can be adjusted.
Allergic Reactions
While the side effects of an allergy shot are minor and uncommon, there is one more serious reaction that might happen. The shot may trigger an allergic reaction. If this happens, it will almost certainly happen within 20 minutes of the shot. This is why doctors require patients to stay in their office for half an hour after the shot. If you do have an allergic reaction, you can receive the treatment you need right on the spot.
If you do experience an allergic reaction, the result can be severe. It is possible that you might experience some of these symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
If you experience an allergic reaction while alone, you might lose the ability to breathe and pass out, which can lead to death. However, this can be completely avoided if you have an allergic reaction while in your doctor’s office. This means allergy shots are incredibly safe. In the exceptionally unlikely event that your allergy shot causes an allergic reaction after you have left the doctor’s office, you should immediately go to the emergency room or call an ambulance.
