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Allergy & Asthma Issues: Winter 2009Look Forward to Spring with Immunotherapy
Patricia When I first moved to Georgia, my allergy symptoms got worse. I was always congested, needed antihistamines and had trouble with my asthma. My allergist, Dr. Nish, recommended I start allergy shots. I began to notice results after just a few months. Now, a few years later, I no longer need any antihistamines and rarely have problems with my asthma. Allergy shots have given me back a normal way of life that I could not enjoy previously due to allergies. Spring’s arrival is anticipated after the long, cold, dreary winter. But with warm weather, sunny days and budding trees also come thick clouds of pollen blanketing our cars, tickling our noses and irritating our lungs. For the estimated 40 percent of Americans with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, the changing seasons are dreaded. The great news is it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little preparation, you can still breathe in all that spring offers. Immunotherapy, commonly called ‘allergy shots,’ is effective in reducing or eliminating seasonal allergy symptoms in up to 90 percent of patients. Make an appointment with your allergist now and find relief this spring and summer. Allergies commonly cause sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy watery eyes. These symptoms can lead to loss of sleep and impair performance at work or school. I am often amazed at how much people are willing to tolerate before seeking treatment. While there is no cure for allergies, immunotherapy is the next best thing. Allergy shots have been shown to improve allergies, asthma and sinus problems, and may prevent the development of future sensitivities. The first step for treating allergies is determining the cause of your symptoms. An allergist will use skin testing, a painless and accurate procedure, to identify allergy triggers. Results are generally available within 15 or 20 minutes. Allergy shots expose a patient to tiny amounts of allergens over a long period of time, decreasing the body’s overreaction to allergy triggers. The serum provided in the shots is custom mixed for each patient to treat specific allergy triggers. Patients receiving allergy shots visit their allergist twice a week for short appointments — about 30 minutes. The shots are administered in increasing doses until a ‘maintenance dose’ is reached. At this level, after a few months, patients should notice an improvement in symptoms and may be able to reduce their medications. The maintenance dose is continued for about three to five years. At the completion of immunotherapy, many patients no longer experience allergic reactions. An allergist is a specialist at diagnosing and treating allergies and has specialized training, experience and knowledge in providing allergy shots. If spring makes you miserable, stop suffering. Visit an allergist — you can find one near you at www.aaaai.org. Andy Nish, MD, FAAAAI, is an allergist/immunologist based in Gainesville, GA
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