Do you find yourself constantly dealing with itchy, inflamed or sensitive skin? Finding effective care for skin allergies and contact dermatitis is often a frustrating experience for North Texas patients. Fortunately, allergy shots offer a different approach by targeting the root cause of your allergic reactions. Let’s examine how immunotherapy treatment helps with skin allergies.
Why Allergy Shots Are an Effective Treatment for Skin Allergies
Many people develop inflammation, itching, rashes or hives after exposure to substances like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, cosmetic products or metals. While limiting exposure and using medication can help manage these reactions, allergy shots offer many patients a more lasting treatment option.
What Are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots are regular injections administered at an allergy treatment center. Each shot contains a small amount of the allergen responsible for triggering your skin reactions. Before starting immunotherapy, your allergist will use allergy testing to identify the substances causing your symptoms. Over the following months, getting these regular shots will gradually train your immune system to become less sensitive to the allergen.
How Allergy Shots Prevent Skin Allergy Reactions
When a person with a skin allergy is exposed to certain substances their immune system perceives a threat, then releases histamines and other chemicals. This response leads to inflammation, hives and other common reactions. People may also experience reactions triggered by environmental allergens, and others can develop contact dermatitis from direct skin contact with specific substances.
Allergy shots begin with very small doses of the allergen, and over time, the amount of allergen is gradually increased at a rate that the body finds manageable. During the course of this measured treatment, the immune system is learning to tolerate higher doses without reacting. As a result patients often experience fewer and less severe skin flare-ups, and may eventually avoid allergic reactions altogether.
How Allergists Treat Skin Allergies With Immunotherapy
Treating skin allergies with allergy shots starts with the build-up phase. Allergists monitor patient response to the injections, adjusting doses to ensure safety. During this stage patients receive shots once or twice weekly, with dose levels gradually increasing according to a person’s tolerance. When the target dose is reached, patients enter the maintenance phase and receive shots around once per month.
Benefits of Allergy Shots for Skin Allergies
Allergy shots for seasonal and environmental allergies are a proven way to reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions. After undergoing immunotherapy, many patients find that hives, eczema and other aggravating symptoms occur far less often, or even resolve completely. This relief can continue long after treatment ends, helping improve the quality of life for those most sensitive to allergens.
Talk to Us About Allergy Shots for Skin Allergies in North Texas
TexasAllergyMD is a top-rated provider of allergy testing and treatment. For patient-centered allergy care, immunotherapy and other solutions, visit us in McKinney/Prosper or Southlake. Call (469) 375-1525 or request an appointment today.
