Should My Child Have Child Allergy Immunotherapy?

What Is Child Allergy Immunotherapy?

Child allergy immunotherapy is synonymously used with other names such as allergy shots and allergen immunotherapy. Allergy shots are more commonly known among public whereas allergen immunotherapy is known only in medical circles.

The objective of allergy immunotherapy, or allergy shots, is to increase resistance to specific allergens by injecting small doses of each allergen into the upper arms, at intervals, over a prolonged period of time. Usually, this will cause the allergic symptoms to decrease or disappear completely. This is similar to vaccinations performed on children to buildup resistance for various diseases. Vaccinations teach the body to recognize and react to a specified disease; similarly allergy shots teach the body to recognize and react to allergens. In the case of allergies these shots prevent occurrence of allergy.

The child suffering from allergic reactions has to be first tested for the allergen for which the child is having allergy. This is essential because the allergen injected as vaccine should be the same as the allergen which causes allergy to the child. A small quantity of extracted allergen is used in child allergy immunotherapy. The allergist or immunologist attending to the child should perform both allergy testing and child allergy immunotherapy.

The treatment duration for child allergy immunotherapy lasts for a total period of about five years.  Undergoing treatment for such a long time requires a lot of patience and commitment from both the parent and the child. The treatment starts with small weekly doses; the dosage is increased and frequency decreased as per the allergist’s requirement. After the initial build-up period, the allergy shots are given on a bi-weekly basis, then a monthly basis for three more years. The total treatment period will be 5 years; but the effects i.e. desensitization to allergens last for years.

When Should Child Allergy Immunotherapy Be Considered?

Most of the children respond positively for reduction in exposure to allergens and management with medications. Only severe cases require Allergy Immunotherapy.

A child undergoing child allergy immunotherapy may have side-effects due to the therapy; the child may also have severe reactions. The side-effects occur in and around the injected area and are local. There will be redness and swelling and these can be controlled by proper medications. In case the reactions persist there is need for revising the dosage. Sometimes systemic reactions occur causing swelling and difficulty in breathing. Such occurrences are rare but they are life threatening when it happens; this is the reason why child allergy immunotherapy is not in your child’s interest if the allergy is not severe.

While managing the allergy reactions of a child, the first attempt should be avoidance of allergen and administering proper medications. In case this cannot control the allergy symptoms and affects the health of the child you must attempt to go in for child allergy immunotherapy. Children suited for allergy shots are:

	Children whose allergies/ allergy-related asthma cannot be controlled well with medications
	Children’s heavy reliance on allergy/asthma medications causing lasting harm
	Children who are unable to avoid their allergy triggers and also having the above criteria
	Children facing a life-long allergy for whom the management outlook is weak
	Children who find it difficult to tolerate allergy and asthma medications

At the outset, the child allergy immunotherapy looks very attractive for severe cases; however, one should remember that this treatment takes a very long time. It takes a minimum of 6 months or more for getting a minimum relief. The total period of treatment is as high as 5 years and this commitment is difficult to meet as the children grow.

The ultimate decision of undergoing child allergy immunotherapy tests is the responsibility of the parent. However, this cannot be decided only by parents alone and require proper advice from a qualified allergist. Hence, both the parent and doctor should build a trusting relationship between them and take a joint decision to facilitate child allergy immunotherapy to succeed.