An allergy can be caused for a number of reasons. Although food allergies are the most commonly known, pet allergies, mold allergies, and other seasonal allergies also affect people across the globe. There are two common methods for treatment of allergic reactions caused by allergens. These methods are allergy drops and allergy shots. Let’s have a look at the difference between both the treatments.
Allergy Shots
Allergy shots are just like vaccinations. These are a series of injections prescribed to the sufferer. These injections help to combat the components or allergens, which evoke the reaction. As a result, allergic reactions are blocked. Moreover, this treatment method also helps to boost the immunity system.
How it Works?
A person who suffers from an allergy is injected allergic shots over a period of time. Their physician plans the schedule of injections for them. In the first 3 to 6 months, one or two allergy shots are injected into the sufferer’s body per week. However, this dose is lowered in the next 3 to 5 years. The sufferer is given one shot per month in this tenure. On the other hand, the quantity per shot is increased gradually. This is done so that the sufferer’s body could accept the allergen and the allergic reaction can be blocked. The patients are kept in observation mode after every shot to observe any reaction their body shows to the dose. This duration of observation mode lasts for 30 to 40 minutes.
Reaction to Allergy Shots
Allergy shots may cause a shot lived slight irritation on the spot where the shot was injected. Throat swelling and chest swelling are some other reactions of allergy shots.
Allergy Drops
Allergy drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy, performs a similar function as that of allergy shots but without the use of injections. The patient is treated by putting a drop of dose under their tongue. This eliminates the need for visiting doctor every week or month to get the dose as it can be done at home. The only time patient has to visit a doctor is when they want to check their progress. Thus, the hassles of commuting to the doctor are removed with this form of treatment.
How it Works?
For this form of treatment, the allergy sufferer is asked to take a few drops of a dose on a daily basis. Their doctor will increase or decrease the dose of drops with the passage of time depending on their condition.
Reactions to Allergy Drops
The best part of this treatment is that it comes without any adverse effects on your health. As discussed above, there are certain reactions associated with allergy shots. Same is not the case with allergy drops.
A Final Word
Although both treatments give the desired results. Allergy drops are preferred by many as they make for a hassle-free and convenient form of treatment. Moreover, there are certain restrictions when it comes to the use of allergy shots for people with certain disorders and allergies or for children. Allergy drops can be taken by almost everyone.
DISCLAIMER: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.