Many people living with chronic allergies spend years relying on medications to manage their symptoms. Using antihistamines, corticosteroids and other drugs has long been the accepted standard in adult and pediatric allergy management. But could immunotherapy be a real alternative to help reduce dependency on these medications? Here’s what Atlanta families should know.
Could Immunotherapy Help You Take Fewer Allergy Medications?
While medications absolutely play a role in allergy treatment, immunotherapy is a viable option that many patients prefer. When allergies are affecting your quality of life, it may be worth considering what immunotherapy could do for you.
Allergy Medications Have Limits
Allergy medication is typically used to control common allergy symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes. But when the medication is stopped, symptoms will usually return—and for patients with mild seasonal allergies, that approach may be manageable. For others, the possibility of building long-term tolerance by retraining the immune system is a more appealing option.
Immunotherapy Treats the Underlying Cause of Allergies
Allergies develop when the immune system identifies a harmless substance as a threat. While medication can provide some relief, it does not treat the root cause of the allergy. To do this, allergists first perform testing to understand exactly which substances are triggering reactions. Immunotherapy can then build tolerance to an allergen so that the immune system learns to tolerate it without triggering a reaction.
Treatment Goes Beyond Temporary Symptom Control
Standard allergy medication can help patients feel better after exposure to pollen, mold, dust and pet dander. But medication is intended only to reduce or block the body’s inflammatory response. Immunotherapy takes a different approach by treating the source of the allergy rather than managing symptoms after the fact. Over time, immunotherapy can reduce asthma symptoms and prevent allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy Diminishes Sensitivity to Allergy Triggers
Immunotherapy gradually reduces the immune system’s reaction to specific allergens through regular exposure to small amounts of those substances. As treatment progresses, allergens that once triggered noticeable symptoms may have less of an effect. Patients often find that having fewer symptoms translates into less frequent use of allergy medications.
Patients Become Less Reliant on Allergy Medications
Whether a patient can reduce or stop medication use depends on how they respond to immunotherapy treatment for allergies. When symptoms become less frequent and less severe, patients may need fewer doses or could stop medications entirely. Follow-up allergy testing can help identify how the immune system is responding to allergen exposure. Any subsequent decisions to change or cease the use of medication should be made in consultation with an allergist, as stopping suddenly could put a person’s health at risk.
Access Immunotherapy Treatment in the Atlanta Area
Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center provides dependable allergy treatments for adults and children. For help with immunotherapy for seasonal allergies, visit one of our allergy treatment centers in Atlanta or the surrounding communities. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
