If you have a child with allergies (or have experienced them yourself), you know how irritating and, in some cases, debilitating the symptoms can be. Whether your child is sensitive to pet dander or allergic to northern pasture grasses, the resulting symptoms can get in the way of enjoying various places and experiences.
While traditional allergy treatments, such as corticosteroids or decongestants, can help, they only offer short-term relief. That’s where allergy immunotherapy comes in. Allergy immunotherapy offers promising results that last, and while it takes time and consistency to see results, it can be an excellent solution to your child’s allergies.
Understanding Kids’ Allergies
Allergies in children are much like allergies in adults. When your kiddo is allergic to something, their immune system triggers a reaction anytime they’re exposed to it. For example, let’s say your child is allergic to pollen. During the spring, your kiddo might be plagued by irritating symptoms anytime they go outside and around flowering plants and trees.
This happens because your child’s antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen, communicate with specific cells that release chemicals. These cells release chemicals anytime your child is exposed to the allergen, raising red flags that alert the immune system that it’s time to react. That chemical release triggers the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction.
Allergic symptoms often include:
● Skin rashes
● Hives
● Difficulty breathing
● Sneezing
● Coughing
● Runny nose
● Itchy eyes
● Stomach upset
What is Allergy Immunotherapy for Kids?
Allergy immunotherapy is a specialized treatment that helps desensitize the immune system to a particular allergen, such as bee venom, pollen, or pet dander. There are two main categories of allergy immunotherapy: sublingual and subcutaneous.
The first, called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), is administered under the tongue in the form of tablets or drops. The second, called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), is administered under the skin via an injection.
How Allergy Immunotherapy Can Help
Allergy immunotherapy can help with your child’s allergies by slowly desensitizing their body to whatever allergen they’re sensitive to. It achieves this by reducing the production of those “blocking” antibodies responsible for kickstarting the immune response.
Over time and with consistent doses, the treatment gives your child’s immune system the opportunity to build an allergen-specific tolerance. Eventually, your child might be able to be around that allergen without noticing a significant allergic reaction.
Of course, every kiddo is different, so results may vary. It all depends on your child and how their immune system handles the treatment. However, for most kiddos, the first results begin to appear within the first year, although the best results typically take until the second or third year to show up.
What Type of Allergy Immunotherapy is Best for Kids?
Many families prefer the convenience and needle-free nature of sublingual allergy immunotherapy, opting for it over allergy shots. Of course, the best type of allergy immunotherapy for your kiddo depends on factors specific to your situation.
For example, suppose your child is older and doesn’t mind allergy shots. This type is the most commonly used and has more FDA-approved allergen treatment options, so it can be a great choice for kids who don’t mind needles.
However, since you’ll need to visit your allergist for each of your child’s treatments and remain at the clinic for a set period after the injection (to monitor for a reaction), these shots can be inconvenient.
On the flip side, allergy drops can be a more convenient option. You won’t need to go to the doctor or allergist’s office for each dose. Instead, you can administer each dose at home, saving you the trip. Plus, since there are no needles involved (simply administer the drops or tablets under your child’s tongue), this is a great option for needle-shy kiddos.
Ultimately, the best fit depends on your child’s needs and what works best for your family.
Does Allergy Immunotherapy Actually Work?
Allergy immunotherapy has been proven to be highly effective time and time again. While trying something new for your child’s health can be scary, allergy immunotherapy isn’t anything new. In fact, it’s been around since the early 1900s. Since then, researchers have delved into the specifics of the treatment and how it works.
These studies have shown how remarkably effective allergy immunotherapy truly is. For example, multiple research and clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of repeated subcutaneous injections in achieving an allergen-specific tolerance that offers clinical benefits long after treatment discontinuation.
Another study on both types of allergy immunotherapy, sublingual and subcutaneous, examined the long-term impact of AIT on allergic rhinitis. It found that both types are highly effective in achieving an allergen-specific tolerance, showing that they offer clinical benefits and immunological changes consistent with such.
Wrapping Up
Allergy immunotherapy for kids is a promising method for managing and potentially overcoming allergic reactions. Whether you opt for the convenience of sublingual treatments or the FDA-approved options of subcutaneous injections, allergy immunotherapy offers promising results for children and their families dealing with allergies.
Of course, as with any change in your child’s healthcare, it’s important to chat with their healthcare provider. Your child’s doctor can offer personalized input and help determine which type of immunotherapy is best suited to your and your child’s needs.
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