Children that suffer from allergies that are chronic or seasonal in nature can have an impaired quality of life since studying, playing and interaction can be adversely affected by the onslaught of allergic symptoms. Allergy drops are a treatment option for successfully managing symptoms for the long-term that physicians are looking into as new research surfaces to advocate for their use.
What are allergy drops and how are they useful?
Allergy drops are a type of immunotherapy approach for managing allergic symptoms in which the aim is to get the body to get used to the allergen over a period of time so the body stops recognizing it as a foreign intruder. Allergy drops are also known as sublingual immunotherapy and can be considered as an alternative to tablets, capsules, sprays, inhalers as well as anti-allergy injections. The treatment approaches vary from young children of different ages to adults depending on the nature and severity of their allergies (some people have them year-round).
Allergy drops are considered by many medical doctors as a safer route to treatment than conventional high doses of anti-histamines. They can be administered at home lessening the cost of doctor’s appointment although a lot of research is pending regarding their long-term effectiveness in conjunction or in lieu of more conventional treatments. Side effects are another component of administering this type of immunotherapy as they are lower or negligent especially in people that react to anti-histamines.
Mechanism of Action For Allergy Drops
Allergy drops are oftentimes custom formulated for each child who suffers from seasonal allergies or asthmatic allergies. They are placed under the tongue as directed by the primary physician and the frequency of treatment also depends on each individual case. Allergy drops can be made to accommodate various co-existing allergies all at the same time so the treatment approach is more comprehensive.
The allergy drops that are prescribed for children are typically in diluted form at the beginning of the treatment. After a period of time has lapsed, the drops are increased to full potency. If the treatment is successful then the drops may be discontinued or lowered in dosage. Most doses are administered over a period of 4 to 6 months in which marked improvement is usually shown in a child’s symptoms. This can enable the child to enjoy life again, engage in play with their friends and spend quality time with loved ones.
Recurrent or chronic allergies drain energy and motivation and cause a great deal of disturbance in the daily life of any child. Many treatment plans can span even as long as 5 years although many physicians would argue that the time period is less compared to the lifelong maintenance doses required with conventional anti-histamine treatments.
In What Instances Are Allergy Drops Preferred?
Allergy drops are the preferred mode of treatment for children in several different instances especially when resistance has developed with many different kinds of allergy treatments. Many children are allergic to anti-histamines themselves resulting in side effects like a swollen face and lips. Allergy drops are best for environmental or natural allergens present in the air as most children get affected on the commute to and from school or when they play outside. These allergens can include mold, leaves, grass, dander, pet hair, pollen, trees and dust mites. Some of these allergens like dust mites are found primarily inside the home particularly in wall-to-wall carpeted areas. Usually to determine whether allergy drops are the preferred treatment for any patient, certain allergy tests are carried out in the clinic or hospital so the physician can evaluate the course of treatment.
The Cost of Allergy Drops
The cost of any medication or course of treatment is a huge concern especially for parents who may have other children as well to provide for. Allergy drops being a newer and sublingual therapy may not always be covered by standard health or medical insurance but always check with your insurance provider. Without insurance the cost of this treatment can range upwards to thousands of dollars per year especially as it continues for a number of years in order to be effective.
It is generally believed however that allergy drops are less expensive than allergy shots or injections which tend to be covered by insurance anyway so the end result might be that the cost cuts even both ways. The allergy drops cost is still a major determinant of whether or not parents will choose this treatment for their children. Children with milder symptoms or infrequent ones may not be prescribed allergy shots for the management of their health problem.
Deactivating Allergens
One of the great selling points about allergen immunotherapy is that it seeks to deactivate the allergen as far as the body’s immune response is concerned. The immune system is designed to be hyper activated whenever an allergen comes into contact with the respiratory system from the environment in the case of allergy or asthma patients. With immunotherapy spanning several years, the body shuts off with regard to allergens so they can no longer elicit the same immune response from the patient’s body.
In many cases even skin sensitivities and allergies like eczema can be potentially treated with the use of sublingual allergen immunotherapy. Asthma, hay fever, dust mite allergies and troublesome pollen allergies can all be treated effectively with the use of allergy drops as long as they are administered with the recommended frequency and dose.
Know The Risks
Allergy drops are deemed safe for children within the recommended doses although rare reactions do happen such as anaphylactic shock. Sometimes anti-histamines may be given before allergy drops are started simply to curb the chances of an allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Different treatments suit different patients and a wide criterion is usually considered before any one treatment is prescribed especially for a child with allergies. Allergy drops can be a brilliant intervention to ease symptoms for the long-term but always consult a healthcare professional or allergy specialist before starting any course of treatment.
Speak Your Mind