The CDC states that 18.9% of children had a reported seasonal allergy in 2021.[1] If your child falls into that number, they’ve probably already started displaying symptoms like sneezing, congestion or hives. With all the pollen in the air, it can feel hard to control their symptoms; that’s where immunotherapy can help.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a long-term approach to allergy treatment. During treatment, your child will receive small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen they’re sensitive to, either through shots or drops under the tongue, to reduce their sensitivity to the substance.
How Long Does Immunotherapy Take?
Immunotherapy takes three to five years to complete. While that may seem like a long time, the reduction in symptoms is well worth the wait. Even better, your child may start to see symptom improvement within three to four months for allergy drops and within six months to one year for shots.[2][3]
How Old Does My Child Have To Be To Start Immunotherapy?
We typically recommend allergy immunotherapy for children aged five and older.
How Do I Know if Immunotherapy Is the Right Choice?
There are a few factors that go into deciding if immunotherapy is the right choice for your child:
- The type of allergies. Allergy shots and drops are each approved for specific allergens. We will conduct an allergy test to identify the specific allergens causing your child’s symptoms and determine whether immunotherapy can help.
- The severity of symptoms. Very mild seasonal allergies may only require daily medication. If your child has moderate to severe allergies that disrupt their quality of life, immunotherapy may be the right choice.
- Commitment to treatment. Immunotherapy is a multi-year treatment plan. Consider whether you can commit your child to the full three to five years.
- Comfort. Many kids don’t like shots. If you don’t think shots are the right choice for your child, they may benefit from oral immunotherapy. We’ll walk through your options to help you find the most comfortable path.
If your child is thrown into a sneezing fit the second they step into the Coppell Nature Park, it might be time to consider their long-term allergy treatment options. Call ENT for Children today to schedule their immunotherapy consultation.
[1]National Center for Health Statistics. (2023, January 18). Seasonal allergies in children under age 18: United States, 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[2] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, July 13). Could allergy drops be the key to allergy relief? Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-allergies/could-allergy-drops-be-the-key-to-allergy-relief
[3] Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Allergy shots. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/allergy-shots/about/pac-20392876