What Parents Should Know About Child Allergy Shots

Under normal circumstances these are not prescribed for children; only in cases of severity of allergy problems this is given for children. It is necessary for a parent to understand the pros and cons of allergy shots in case he wants to explore the possibility of administering allergy shots to his child.

What Are Child Allergy Shots?

Briefly, child allergy shots are immunizations, or vaccines, against specific allergies.  Before administering allergy shots on children you must first find out the allergen that your child is allergic to. This can be pollen, dust mite etc.

This is done by doing allergy testing on the child. Once you know the specific allergens that are causing allergy problems to your child the allergist will administer purified extracts of these allergens in a series of shots to the child. Each of these allergens for which the child is being treated will be given one shot each.

The doses given are small and give the child’s body to get acclimatized to the allergen and accept it as normal and harmless. If this shot giving is continued for a long period as prescribed by the allergist the body will not produce antibodies to the allergens and the child will stop getting allergic when it encounters that allergen. This process is also known as immunotherapy or desensitization.

How Do Child Allergy Shots Help Kids With Allergies?

*Basically, the allergens are not considered harmful by most of the bodies of the human being. The bodies of others who are affected by allergic reactions consider the allergens as dangerous invaders; such bodies produce antibodies to counter the allergens which in fact are allergic reactions. The child allergy shots re-train the body of the allergy affected child to recognize the allergens as harmless substances. The body ignores allergens and stops building up reaction causing antibodies. This obviously means that the body is returning to normalcy. Each of the shot results in a lasting immunity against that allergen. The immunity may last for a period of five to ten years subject to course completion as per schedule; premature interruption of this course will reduce this period considerably.

Since the number of allergens present is many, there is no guarantee that the child will not have allergy even after getting allergy shots. Each allergy shot immunizes the child only for that allergen. It may not be practicable to immunize the child against all prevailing allergens. The child normally will be immunized to only those allergens for which it was tested positive. The child can get allergic reactions for allergens not immunized for because the allergen is unknown or not recommended for desensitization.

How Are Child Allergy Shots Given?

The child allergy shots are administered in small doses over a period of time for each allergen; however more than one type of shot can be given in one sitting.

To start with, the child allergy shots are given in small doses which may not cause any serious allergic reaction in the child. In most of the cases these shots are given on a weekly basis. The treatment is continued with varying schedules and dosages for a minimum period of 6 months by which time the child is expected to tolerate higher dosage levels. This period is known as built-up period and it is completed once the allergic reactions subside. After completion of built-up period given above, there will be 3 to 5 year maintenance period during which the allergen will continue to be administered.

The dosage of allergen is increased during the treatment period to ensure that larger doses do not cause allergic reactions to the child. Increase in dosage facilitates reduction in the frequency of dosage and the child allergy shots are given monthly during the maintenance period. The child gets lasting immunity after treatment for 5 years.

Are There Risks To Giving Child Allergy Shots?

There exists the risk of reaction and side-effects due to administering of child allergy shots. All allergic children are not affected by this. The reaction and side effects are limited to localized area where allergy shots are given. There will be swelling and itching in the injected area and this can be treated by giving antihistamines. In case of abnormal reaction the dosage of allergen and its schedule need to be adjusted.

The child could experience a systemic reaction due to allergy shots; these reactions affect different parts of the body with allergy symptoms varying from mild to severe whole-body allergy symptoms. These symptoms are not life threatening; but there is a possibility of getting anaphylaxis does exist. It is essential that the allergy shots are given only by a qualified immunologist/allergist; the child’s reaction to this shot has to be observed for a minimum period of half an hour in the doctor’s office after treatment.

Who Should Get Child Allergy Shots?

All children having child allergy symptoms need not take allergy shots. For that matter, most of the children do not require child allergy shots. Child allergy shots need not be even considered for children having mild to moderate allergy symptoms. They have to look at this only when the symptoms are getting severe. This treatment lasts for a very long period and both parent and child should have absolute commitment for running through the whole treatment. They also should understand the risks to the child’s health.

One must make sincere attempts for controlling the child allergies with allergy medicines, relief medications, and environmental measures and child allergy shots are not to be considered in the normal course. In case the allergic symptoms become uncontrollable or the child reacts adversely to allergy medications then only child allergy shots are to be thought of.

Child allergy shots could be a permanent solution for a long period for your child’s allergic reactions and are difficult to ignore. However, the duration of treatment for immunotherapy is as high as 5 years and it may be extremely difficult to fulfill it with a growing child. This can only be done with close cooperation between the parent, child and the allergist. Decision to go in for allergic shots for your child is a very serious one and the pros and cons of this should be well thought out before taking a final decision.