Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy
Pediatric allergy immunotherapy is a type of treatment that can help children with allergies. It is also known as allergy shots or allergy desensitization.
Allergy immunotherapy works by exposing the child’s body to small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen that they are allergic to. This helps the body to develop tolerance to the allergen and reduce the allergic reaction.
Allergy immunotherapy can be used to treat a variety of allergies in children, including:
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Asthma
Food allergies
Insect sting allergies
Allergy immunotherapy is usually started in children who are at least 5 years old. However, it may be started in younger children in some cases.
There are two main types of allergy immunotherapy:
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT): This is the most common type of allergy immunotherapy. It involves injecting the allergen under the skin.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): This involves placing a tablet or liquid containing the allergen under the tongue.
Both SCIT and SLIT are effective treatments for allergies. SCIT is generally considered to be more effective than SLIT, but it can also cause more side effects.
The decision of which type of allergy immunotherapy is best for a child will depend on the child’s individual circumstances.
Allergy immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for allergies in children. It can help to improve symptoms, reduce the need for medication, and prevent the development of new allergies.
If you are considering allergy immunotherapy for your child, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if it is the right treatment for your child and can answer any questions you have.
Here are some of the benefits of pediatric allergy immunotherapy:
It can help to reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and wheezing.
It can help to improve the quality of life for children with allergies.
It can help to prevent the development of new allergies.
It is a safe and effective treatment for allergies.
Here are some of the risks of pediatric allergy immunotherapy:
Mild side effects, such as redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site, are common.
More serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction, are rare.
If you are considering allergy immunotherapy for your child, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.