In this post, we will talk about allergy shots vs. allergy drops and choosing the right option for your child. If you’re considering allergy immunotherapy to treat your child’s allergies, you might be debating the merits of allergy shots versus allergy drops.
While both options are highly effective and can be suitable for kids, one might be better suited to your child’s needs than the other. From frequent injections to doctor’s visits, there are several things you’ll need to consider to choose the best fit.
Understanding Your Child’s Allergies
Allergies in kids are just like those in adults: it’s simply a reaction in the body to a foreign substance called an allergen. These allergens can be different for everyone, including things like bee venom, pollen, and pet dander.
Your child’s body produces antibodies, which are blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen. These antibodies see the allergen as harmful, even though most are completely harmless.
So, when your child is exposed to the allergen, their little immune systems jump into action, with the antibodies communicating with specific cells that release chemicals.
This chemical release causes those annoying symptoms your child experiences, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, or hives. In kids, common allergy symptoms include:
- Skin rashes
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Stomach upset
In severe cases, your child may experience difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Allergy Immunotherapy: At a Glance
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is a treatment designed to desensitize the body to a particular allergen. It has worked wonders for countless individuals from all walks of life, helping them enjoy experiences and places they previously couldn’t.
The treatment works by administering small, incrementally increasing doses of the allergen to your child’s body. Repeated exposure helps reduce the production of the “blocking” antibodies responsible for creating the reaction. Over time and with consistent treatment, you may notice your child’s allergies dissipate or even disappear altogether.
Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops: Choosing the Right Option for Your Child
There are two primary types of treatment: sublingual and subcutaneous.
- Sublingual allergy immunotherapy is administered under the tongue via tablet or drops. While FDA-approved allergen options for drops are limited, there are plenty of options available for off-label use that are highly effective.
- Subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy is administered under the skin via an injection. This approach is more commonly used for adults but less common among children due to the frequent injections.
Which is Better: Allergy Shots or Allergy Drops?
Both allergy shots and allergy drops are highly effective in treating various types of allergies, so you can choose whatever option best suits your child’s needs. Many parents, though, choose to incorporate allergy drops over allergy shots for a few reasons.
Needle vs. Needle-Shy
The biggest deciding factor for many moms and dads is whether or not their children can handle frequent injections. Many kiddos are needle-shy, making allergy shots an unsuitable fit.
Especially considering how often AIT requires injections. Since allergy drops don’t require any injections, they’re a great option for kids suffering from allergies.
Convenience
Another factor to consider is the doctor’s visits you’ll need to complete. With allergy shots, you generally have to bring your child to your local allergist or primary care physician for each injection.
After each injection, they need to remain at the clinic for a set period to monitor for adverse reactions. While it isn’t too big of a nuisance, those frequent visits and time spent in the office can throw a wrench into your day (especially with young kids).
This is another area where allergy drops shine. Since they present little risk of an adverse reaction, there’s no need to visit your doctor’s office for each dose.
Instead, you can give your kiddo the dose from the comfort of your home. This is handy for many parents, as it can take a while to get your kids ready to get out the door, buckle them in the car, and get to the doctor’s office for an injection.
Choosing the Right Option: In a Nutshell
Both types of allergy immunotherapy, sublingual and subcutaneous, are highly effective in combatting allergies. Ultimately, the best fit for your kiddos comes down to factors specific to your and their needs.
If they’re needle-shy, allergy drops might be the right fit. If they don’t mind frequent injections, allergy shots might be a good option. Choose what works best for you and your child. If you’re unsure which one to pick, talk to your child’s doctor for personalized input based on their medical history.
I hope my article about Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops: Choosing the Right Option for Your Child has helped you make a decision or has helped you in some way. Please leave a comment below if you have anything you want to add to this conversation. Thanks!