If you’re like me and hate needles, and especially getting shots, you may want to consider this method when treating allergies. Pills and liquid drops are emerging as a more available option for people to use to prevent allergies. They’re already available in Europe, and if they are approved in the United States, this type of therapy could be more broadly available by allowing people to treat themselves at home rather than going to the doctor’s to get shots. It’s also beneficial for children who could be scared of needles.
Of course, there are drawbacks to taking pills or drops instead of getting shots. Tablets and liquid drops target a more standardized, general allergy, while shots can be tailored to match the patient’s allergies.
This article explains that between 30 million an 60 million Americans, including up to 40 percent of children and 10 to 30 percent of adults, suffer nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes or other symptoms from allergies to something they inhale. Typically, people treat these allergies with antihistamines (like Claritin), or nasal steroids. However, these only alleviate symptoms, they don’t get rid of them completely.
You can receive longer-lasting relief from immunotherapy, which is allergy shots and under-the-tongue treatments. Some studies have shown that three years of immunotherapy provides substantial relief for two years after treatment is stopped, in some cases for longer. Some studies also suggest that immunotherapy can reduce the risk of developing asthma.
A study was done by Merck involving 1,500 adults and children who are allergic to Timothy grass. Those who took the tablets had a 20 percent reduction in symptoms during one allergy season compared with those who received a placebo. They also used antihistamines or other symptom-relieving drugs less often.
In my opinion, the fact that using these tablets and drops are as effective as getting shots is more than enough reason to not only stop getting shots for allergies, but to not use antihistamines, either (or at least not as often). Do you think you would use pills or drops if they were easily available in the US?
I had no clue about these pills. If they were easily available in the US I would 100% take them. I’m the type of person who is afraid of the finger prick, that’s how much I hate needles. Apparently there are a few suggestions on how to make the shot hurt less, but I would feel like a brat asking someone to warm the area where I’m about to get a shot at 19 years old. Check it out for a few relaxation tips that may help: http://voices.yahoo.com/fear-shots-four-ways-painful-injections-7837662.html
Great article, but even after reading this I WILL NOT be partaking in the needle taking to alleviate allergies haha. I am deathly afraid of needles to the point where I take prescription muscle relaxers the day of and day before any sort of doctors visit because my anxiety is so high. I was diagnosed with Trypanophobia a long time ago, thats a fear of needles, I’ve visited many psychologists and what not and nothing will work so I just live my life afraid of needles. There are other ways to treat allergies other than getting shots, here are some: http://www.cnmarcata.com/6-ways-to-relieve-allergies-without-drugs-shots-or-needles/
To be honest, I didn’t even know that people got shots for allergies. Whenever allergy season hits for me I take either Zyrtec or Claritin and they normally work well enough for me. Then again, maybe my allergies aren’t as severe as others so that could be the reason I’ve never had to resort to getting a shot. Here’s an article I found about different ways to treat allergies: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/allergy-medications