About Allergies: Immunotherapy -- An Underused Therapy

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Spring is here again, often the worst time of the year for allergy sufferers. Up to 1 in 3 people suffer from allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. These symptoms can result in a significant reduction in a person's quality of life, including affects the ability to work, play and even sleep. And, while there is a large selection of allergy medications on the market, these only help so much. Unlike medications, which serve to only "cover-up" allergy symptoms, immunotherapy can fix the underlying problem of hay fever. In fact, a large percentage of people receiving immunotherapy do not need additional allergy medicines, and are in a sense cured. And, while allergy medications only work as long as you keep taking them, immunotherapy can work for many years after completing a course of injections, resulting in a significant cost savings in the long run. Yet immunotherapy is misunderstood, and therefore often underused. Traditional Allergy Shots -- Subcutaneous Immunotherapy A basic overview of what allergy shots are, how they work and the potential risks of this type of treatment. A discussion of who may want to consider allergy shots is also given. Allergy Drops -- Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy, has been used for years with great success in Europe. This form of allergy treatment in being studied for use in the United States, yet has not yet been approved by the FDA. Learn more about how sublingual immunotherapy works, how it compares with traditional allergy shots and some of the hurdles it must overcome before being routinely in the U.S. Should I take allergy shots or allergy drops? Have you been given the choice of taking allergy shots or allergy drops for the treatment of your allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis or allergic asthma? Learn the benefits and drawbacks of each form of therapy. Allergies in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding A common concern of pregnant and breastfeeding women is whether it is to take medication for allergies and asthma. Many women also find that their allergies or asthma gets much worse during pregnancy, and want to know what medications are preferred in pregnancy. Special attention is given to the mother's diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding to help prevent allergies in the baby. Allergies Ads Dust Mite Allergies Itchy Allergies Allergy Allergies Eczema Allergies Free Allergy Tests Featured Articles Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alle Glossary of Terms   More from About.com Share Your Dog's Tale Share your tale of what it's like to live with a specific breed of dog - or even a mutt. Your submission will help prospective owners decide what dog breed is right for them. More > Reader's Choice Tech Awards Learn what apps, smartphones, email clients, and more were chosen by About.com readers as their favorites. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies Advertisement