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Immunotherapy shots are used in order to increase the body’s  tolerance to a wide range of substances or allergens that have the ability to trigger severe allergic reactions. Such immunotherapy is given especially to patients who are suffering from severe allergic reactions and who experience these reactions at least 3 months per year. The shots are given in a progressive way and their amount will depend on the severity of the patient’s allergic condition. During this treatment, the patient will not get an instant relief; instead, the shots are given in order to reduce the sensitivities of the body to specific allergens. An allergy shot is an injection containing a substance that is given to a patient on a regular basis in order to reduce his gastro and respiratory symptoms. Skin reactions will be reduced as well. Immunotherapy is used when the patient has already tried other allergy treatments – avoidance of that particular allergen or medication - that didn’t work. In the case of a toddler suffering from a particular allergy, a certain fear has been connected to allergy shots due to the occasional but rare reactions to these shots. Here are the main benefits of the allergy shots in the case of a toddler suffering from this condition together with the alternatives you may use in order to protect your child from developing severe allergic reaction without giving him the allergy shots. For instance, if the cause of his allergy has already been detected, this will provide you with the best mean of defense when it comes to protecting your toddler. The only thing that you will have to do is to train your child in order for him to avoid contact with this particular allergen. Beware that you will encounter several difficulties when your toddler is outside and in the open air because this is where pollens are airborne. If your toddler suffers from an allergy triggered by indoor causes such as dust mites or molds, you will have to clean your indoor space and get rid of all these causes. You may opt for medications for his allergy in order to reduce all the allergic reactions. For instance, some of the most common scripts for an allergy will contain Singular and Claritin – these medications are among the most used ones and they will be administered to your toddler in the right proportions and according to your doctor’s directions. Also, you may have prescribed shots administered for your toddler because such shots are universally accepted as being safe enough and extremely useful when it comes to developing the child’s natural immunity over time. Allergy shots are most effective when they are given over several years in order to enable the child to develop his immunity with risk. There are 2 main phases of the process: the first one is the so-called buildup stage – your toddler is injected with small but increasing doses of the substance/allergen that triggers his condition in order for him to adapt to this particular allergen without developing any allergic reaction. Your child will receive 3 shots per week and this will go on for up to 7 months – the whole process has the same effects as a common vaccination program. Next, a period of maintenance will follow in order to complete the whole immunizing process. This way, your child will be provided with permanent benefits and once his body develops the necessary immunity to the allergen, your child will be given monthly shots over a period of 3 years. Keep in mind that giving your toddler allergy shots is a very serious commitment and you must visit your health care provider before the application of these allergy shots in order to receive useful advice.
Photo – Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jiparker/2120880496/
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