Allergy Shots & Rush Immunotherapy – Find Out How They Differ
First, an allergy essentially refers to an immune reaction to certain substances, whether airborne or ingested in food.
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When it comes to allergies, many people wonder if they should get an allergy shot or if they need to take a daily pill called Rush Immunotherapy. There are several differences between these two options and how they can help you cope with your allergies when you feel symptoms flare up. In this blog post, we will explain the pros and cons of both treatments based on research from healthline.com. The most common allergies are “true allergies,” which means the body produces an inflammatory response to allergens. Find here – Allergy Shots & Rush Immunotherapy – Find Out How They Differ
An allergy shot, therefore, is also known as an immunotherapy shot. They are administered under the skin, in your arm, or on the back of your shoulder. The treatment contains tiny particles of the allergen that causes your allergies. This specific type of shot is known as a subcutaneous injection and has been used for over a century.
On the other hand, rush immunotherapy is administered by an injection into the vein. This treatment is used widely for food and drug allergies, such as penicillin. The idea behind Rush Immunotherapy is that your body will get more immediate exposure to the allergen under your tongue. Doing so will build up a tolerance to it over time.
Allergy shot
Proccedure
The process for allergy shots is relatively simple. You must first identify the allergen that causes your allergies, then seek a doctor with the necessary expertise in administering allergy shots. After you choose and schedule an appointment, you will be given a series of tests to determine what type of allergen you have, how severe the reaction is, and the best treatment options.
After identifying and narrowing down the allergy causing your symptoms, an allergist will recommend which type of allergy shot to administer. Depending on the allergen, there are many different medications and choices available. Most often, patients select a subcutaneous injection of liquid antigen. This is administered straight into the skin by a physician or nurse.
The shots can be repeated every three to five years for most allergies to maintain tolerance. There is no limit to the number of injections that you can receive.
Pros
– Provides more extended protection from disease-related symptoms
– Nearly one hundred percent effective for immunotherapy injections
– Effective for multiple allergies and related conditions
Cons
– Shots are painful and may cause side effects like swelling, redness, or itchiness. However, these can be treated with cream.
– Acne scarring and skin infection are possible with injection allergies.
– Takes longer for the tolerance to build up
Rush immunotherapy
Procedure
Rush immunotherapy is a different allergy approach that is more commonly used than an allergy shot. In this treatment, you will receive a hefty dose of the allergen under your tongue without any preparation. However, you should not eat for several hours before the treatment as well as after. This treatment is used to desensitize your immune system so that it does not overreact when exposed to allergens.
There are multiple types of immunotherapy given to patients with allergies. Sublingual immunotherapy is the most common, administering the allergen under your tongue. There is also subcutaneous immunotherapy, which injects it into your skin. In addition, there is a type of injection known as epicutaneous immunotherapy, which injects it directly into the skin’s surface.
Pros
– You build up a tolerance to allergens more quickly than allergy shots because of the large dosage.
– It is painless, and you will see an improvement in your allergy symptoms within a few hours.
– Nearly one hundred percent effective for the treatment of allergies.
– Is often the fastest and most effective option to treat allergic reactions
Cons
– You have to eat specific foods during and after your immunotherapy treatment. As in the example of a peanut allergy, you will have to avoid peanut products for at least four weeks. – May cause a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
– There is no guarantee on how long the treatment will last.
Differences Between An Allergy Shot And Rush Immunotherapy
-When someone gets an allergy shot, they are not injected with just one substance but rather a mixture containing multiple allergens to which you are allergic, depending on what you have previously tested positive for.
-Allergy shots have been around for a long time; however, their use has expanded over the years thanks to modern medicine and technology, while rush immunotherapy is relatively new.
– An allergy shot can last as long as five years and maybe even longer, whereas rush immunotherapy lasts only a few months. This can be longer, though, if you consider its positive effects on easing symptoms over time.
– An allergy shot takes approximately three months to build up a tolerance for the allergen, while with rush immunotherapy, it can take about two weeks to start seeing results.
– An allergy shot can only be administered to a few people at a time and must be repeated every three to five years. Rush immunotherapy, on the other hand, can be given to more than one person at a time, and patients can get as many injections as they want, unlike allergy shots.
Just like any other medical procedure, there are potential side effects. However, the allergy shot is a relatively safe procedure almost everyone can undergo. The most common adverse reactions are redness and swelling at the injection site and itching, according to nih.gov.
Others include headache, fatigue, nausea, and trouble sleeping.
Still, if you experience any of the following symptoms after receiving the shot, see a doctor immediately:
– hives, itching, or swelling of the face or throat
– shortness of breath
– chest pain or discomfort that worsens with deep breaths
– diarrhea and vomiting
– pale skin
– fainting or loss of consciousness.
Essentially, allergy shots and rush immunotherapy are practical tools to help you cope with allergies, but they are not the same. The best treatment will vary depending on your type of allergy, the severity of symptoms, and your lifestyle. If you have questions about choosing the proper treatment, contact an ENT doctor in Philly or visit webmd.com to understand further allergy treatments, allergy shots, and rush immunotherapy.