How do allergy shots work, and are they effective for food allergies?

Question

kinacl, do you know if the shots work in the case of food allergies?

Answer 1

Allergy shots work on the theory that exposing you to a little bit of the substance you're allergic to on a regular basis will build up your resistance to it. Many doctors will compare them to immunizations; but immunizations work and there is still no solid reproducible evidence that allergy shots do. My mom tried them on two separate occasions. On the first, 2 1/2 years of regular shots had no effect and her insurance refused to pay for any more. On the second course, 15 years later, she had to have cortisone shots twice and on her last visit went into anaphylactic shock and had to be rushed to the ER. Obviously, I do not think they are effective. I have had friends who swore they worked wonders, but when questioned it was obvious their allergies were very mild, more of an annoyance than an illness. Talk seriously with a family doctor or nurse that you trust before doing it. NOT an allergist; allergy shots are how they make their money and they can't be objective about them.

Answer 2

I had allergy shots for nine years. They give shots for pollens, and allergies to animal fur, but they don't give shots for food allergies. Actually the allergy shots made my oral allergies to go away, but it did not help my other food allergies.

Answer 3

Yes they really work... I had them as a child for 5yrs and My allergies are nothing now...
I am not sure about food though...

Answer 4

I'm a nurse. Each visit they inject you with a little bit more of the very thing you are allergic too until you are immune. Their are risks ,but yes they actually have worked for many people.

Answer 5

not that i know of them i get allergy shots for pollen, ragweed, dog hair, some grasses