| Are you chained to your weekly allergy shot | | | | |
| treatments? Typically shots need to be given | | | | Save time - the patient visits the doctor |
| once a week and require not only time but | | | | only two or three times a year versus as many |
| money as well. Allergy drops which have been | | | | as 52 |
| used in Europe for some time are now being | | | | |
| offered here in the United States. These | | | | Save Money - reduced patient visits equals |
| drops are given at home and therefore can | | | | reduced copayments |
| reduce the cost of doctor office visits even | | | | |
| if you only have a copayment. | | | | Much More Convenient - patient received the |
| | | | prescription at the office and places the |
| Allergy shots and allergy drops are both | | | | drops under his or her tongue at home |
| immunotherapy treatments allergists use for | | | | |
| their patients. The "new" sublingual allergy | | | | Some patients have experienced adverse |
| drops(not to be confused with eye drop | | | | reactions to sublingual allergy drops. The |
| treatments) have the same goal of slowly | | | | risk is similar to that of taking allergy |
| making the sufferer immune to whatever | | | | shots but you can see that most people would |
| allergen is causing their problems. This is | | | | think that the advantages far outweigh the |
| sometimes referred to as desensitization. | | | | risk of having to deal with a reaction on |
| | | | their own. Typically you would seek medical |
| Disadvantages of Allergy Shots | | | | treatment immediately. |
| | | | |
| Allergy shots can be inconvenient because | | | | Many allergists will begin a patient's |
| they require a weekly trip to the doctor's | | | | treatment using both shots and allergy drops |
| office. Typically, shots consist of diluted | | | | and if the drops show a reduction in symptoms |
| versions of the allergen to which the patient | | | | similar or better than the shots the |
| reacts. The patient then has to wait | | | | allergist will most likely suggest that the |
| approximately 30 minutes after the injections | | | | patient move to just the drops. Given the |
| to make sure there is no adverse reaction | | | | convenience of this course of treatment it |
| before leaving the allergist's office. | | | | has been shown that more people will take the |
| | | | drops on a regular basis in comparison to the |
| Allergy shots can be costly. Even if you | | | | injections. |
| don't count the time lost out of work or | | | | |
| school there is usually a cost associated | | | | Treatments get better every day, rumor has it |
| with the office visit itself. Even if the | | | | that allergy pills are around the corner that |
| shots are covered by your medical insurance | | | | will treat more than the symptoms of |
| typically there is a copayment with each | | | | allergies but will act as replacements for |
| visit. I know my copayment for an office | | | | the allergy drops and allergy shots that |
| visit is $15. If you have to go every week | | | | exist for immunotherapy therapy treatments |
| that adds up to a whopping $780 per year out | | | | that exist today. Though immunotherapy does |
| of your pocket. | | | | not work for everyone if it does the effects |
| | | | can seem miraculous. |
| Advantages of Allergy Drops | | | | |