Allergy Medication vs. Allergy Shots: Which Is Right for You?

Pollen, insects, pet dander, foods… There are so many things that can trigger allergies. Over 4 million people saw their doctor due to allergies in 2019. As of 2021, 27.2% of children and 31.8% of adults had some type of allergy. Seasonal allergies are the most prevalent, in all age groups, followed by eczema and food allergies.

When you’re dealing with allergies, over-the-counter medications aren’t always effective enough. Sometimes, prescription medications or allergy shots are ideal. Our guide will help you better understand both options and offer guidance into which is right for you.

Understanding the Different Types of Allergies

An allergy is caused by your body’s response to an allergen. Symptoms vary and depend on the type of allergy. For some people with seasonal allergies or allergies to pet dander, mold, or dust mites, the symptoms are less severe and include:

• Congestion
• Itchy, water eyes
• Runny nose
• Skin rashes

Allergies can also be severe and trigger a narrowing of the airways making it difficult to breathe. Anaphylactic shock is a risk with some allergies, especially food allergies to foods like bananas, fish, peanuts, seafood, and tree nuts.

There are several types of allergies. They include:

• Allergic Asthma
• Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
• Dust Mites
• Foods
• Insect Stings and Bites
• Mold
• Pet Dander

Do you find your nose is runny, congestion picks up, and eyes are itchy and watery when the leaves come out each spring? That’s a seasonal allergy, best known as hay fever. You have a food allergy if your lips get itchy and your tongue swells after eating shrimp. Food allergies are better treated by avoiding that food altogether, but you can’t always avoid accidental exposure when you’re dining out or at another person’s home for a gathering.

How Do Allergy Medications Work?

Allergy medications work by blocking the blood chemical that’s released as a response to an allergen. This chemical is known as histamine, and it triggers blood vessels to expand. That’s why congestion is a common symptom of allergies. You have to take them before symptoms appear to avoid symptoms. They also don’t work effectively on all allergies.

One of the biggest problems with allergy medications is that some cause drowsiness. You shouldn’t drive a car or operate machinery after taking a medication that causes drowsiness, which can make it hard to do your job.

Allergy medications are also a short-term solution. You need to take them before allergies start, and it may take time to find the right medication for your allergies.

Over-the-counter medications may not work as well as prescription medications. It might be the cost-effective solution for you, but if they’re not working, you waste money. Not every insurance plan covers prescription allergy medications. Even if it does, you may still have a co-pay that can make the medications hard to afford.

How Do Allergy Shots Work?

Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy. They work by injecting a small amount of your allergen under your skin or into your lymph nodes. The amount of the allergen is very small and helps stop your body from reacting to the allergen when there’s exposure. Without the reaction, you can enjoy your routines and activities without feeling congested, itchy, tired, etc.

There are two types of allergy shots. Plus, there’s a third option that might be ideal if you want the benefits of an allergy shot with the convenience of medications.

Intratympanic Immunotherapy:

Using an ultrasound for needle guidance, the allergen is injected directly into a lymph node in the groin. It may sound alarming, but the benefit is that only three injections are needed. They’re spaced about a month apart.

Subcutaneous:

These injections are given right under the skin on the upper arm. For the allergy shots to be effective, you need to go in for a weekly shot for a period of three to five years. They’re harder for some people to fit into their schedule, even though they do work well. If you’re going to have a hard time taking a long lunch once a week, the intratympanic shots might be better.

A newer option is needle-free and involves placing a dissolving tablet or drop of liquid under your tongue. Sublingual (SLIT) treatments are ideal for self-treatment that’s as effective as subcutaneous allergy shots.

While allergy shots work effectively, there are reasons why they’re not a good fit for everyone. Insurance may not cover them. It depends on your plan. If they are covered, which is becoming more common, your doctor needs to approve them as medically necessary.

Tips for Picking the Right Allergy Treatment for Your Needs

How do you know which is best for your needs? A lot of it comes down to the severity of your allergies, your lifestyle, the overall cost, and how much time you have available. 

Allergy shots can require a weekly injection that can take an hour if you factor in the commute to and from the clinic, the time for the shot, and any wait time to ensure you’re not having an adverse reaction to the injection. Medications might be a better option for you if time is a consideration. 

It also depends on the type of allergy you have. Pills and liquid medications are great, but there are factors to keep in mind. If you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid conditions, you might need medication that doesn’t exacerbate your condition. Long-term use of corticosteroid medications can impact your health, too. 

Decongestants can cause side effects like insomnia and headache. They’re not intended for long-term use. Antihistamines can make you feel tired and that makes it hard to function. It can also be unsafe to work when you’re using antihistamines, especially if your job involves driving a truck, van, bus, or taxi, operating a machine in a factory, or helping patients. 

Compare all of that to a series of allergy shots where the side effects are redness and irritation at the injection site.  You might find the side effects of allergy shots are better. Severe reactions to allergy shots are very rare. Most people tolerate them well and enjoy the lasting relief once the shots have time to build up and stop the histamine response.

Always Ask an Allergy Doctor for Guidance

You know how your allergies make you feel. An allergy specialist understands what causes those symptoms and how best to end them. That’s why it’s important to work with a doctor and see what your options are for long-term relief.

If your allergies are severe or triggering asthma-like attacks or other dangerous symptoms, make an appointment with Premium Allergy’s team. Your health is far too important to keep hoping that over-the-counter medications are good enough. We’ll work with you to find solutions that provide real relief from your allergies.