How long do you have to have allergy shots?

 

For those of you that have allergies, it can be a real pain. My college-aged son and teenage son and daughter are allergic to everything. Literally. Grass, trees, flowers, bushes, animals, dust and mold. You name it, they're allergic to it.

There comes a time when no matter how much medicine you take, you are still miserable. My kids would take Singulair and Zyrtec and still be miserable all the time. They would sneeze, their eyes would itch and water, and they would start wheezing. 

 

Asthma Doc told them to shower every night before bed (to wash all the pollen off their skin and hair.) That didn't help either. Daughter Kitty would sneeze all night long and wake us up. Then she would get a bloody nose. Fun times!

So all three of our kids have had to have allergy shots (immunotherapy) 

It's a long process, it usually takes 3 to 5 years. And it takes A LOT of time. You have to go to the doctor's office twice a week. Have one shot in each arm, then wait 20 minutes so you don't have anaphylaxis, then you can leave. After a while, you can go once a week. It's a pain to have to find a time every week to take kids to allergy shots. My two sons have already completed their 5 year's worth of allergy shots. Daughter Kitty is on year 4. I just read an article in the Winter edition of Coping with Allergies and Asthma Magazine.   

The article quoted a study from the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. They are quoted as saying 

"Our research shows that three years is adequate duration for the treatment of childhood asthma associated with dust mites. An additional two years adds no clinical benefit." 

I wonder if that holds true for other allergens too? My kids are allergic to so many things. In fact, Son #2 may have to repeat the allergy shots because he is still having problems. For us, it's better to have the kids complete the 5 years worth of allergy shots. If you aren't allergic to that many things, maybe you only have to do it for 3 years. Check with your doctor and see what he says.

 

It's an exciting idea, but it never seems to be that easy for my kids. See what your doctor says, maybe you'll be lucky enough to shave off 2 years of the series of allergy shots.

Good luck!