The human body has a unique defense system called the immune system. The task of immune system is to fight germs and protect the body from infections and diseases. The immune system can sometimes lead to allergic reactions which are nothing but false alarms in most of the cases. Sneezing, swelling, runny nose, itching, asthma or rashes are few of the symptoms that can be caused by allergies. Allergies can be diagnosed by skin and blood tests. Allergy shots, medicines and avoidance of allergens are few of the treatments. Steroid shot for allergies is one such treatment for allergic reactions. For those who don’t know, steroids are man-made medications with anabolic-androgenic steroids (a male sex hormone) and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids as its main types.
According to WebMD, steroids which can decrease inflammation/infection that are linked with allergies are medically termed as corticosteroids. They are used to treat and prevent sneezing, itchy, runny nose and nasal stuffiness which are caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. Steroids can also help in reducing swelling and inflammation from other kinds of allergic reactions.
The hormone, cortisol, produced by adrenal glands above the kidney has strong anti-inflammatory effect, which plays an important role in medicating allergy-causing histamine. Corticosteroids replicate or mimic the effects of this hormone. The allergic inflammation caused by the immune system is suppressed when the steroids are taken in levels that exceed the body's regular levels.
Steroid shots for allergy, when compared to sprays, are of a higher dose as they are an overall allergy treatment. Whenever a person has severe symptoms of allergy which disrupts their normal work routine for many days or weeks altogether, then doctors may prescribe a dose of corticosteroid injection or pills to take by mouth. There are situations when the only way to overcome the allergies is through pills or shots of steroids.
Steroids have to be taken routinely on a daily basis even when the symptoms of allergy are not present in order to get the best result. Besides, the medicine may not be effective immediately and may take a week or two to show the desired results.
Steroid shot for allergy is a great way to get through the allergy season safe and sound. You should know that immunotherapy or allergy injections are a series of shots that are administered over a period of many months to years. They are usually not given as a one-time treatment. This also means they have long lasting effects, like the triamcinolone (Kenalog), a three month allergy shot.
Here are 2 precautions in using steroids allergy shots:
These shots can lead to momentary side effects around the injected area, such as facial flushing, skin thinning, insomnia, high blood sugar and skin color loss. Based on the patient's health condition, doctors will prescribe only three to four corticosteroid injections per year.
Other side effects of steroids one may encounter include:
Every medicine that is man-made has its own side effects which manifest themselves when the said medicine is taken over an extensive period of time. Steroid Shot for Allergy is not any different, but with proper managements these side effects can be minimized. A few steps to prevent or reduce the side effects are as follows:
Except for steroid shot for allergies, there are various other forms of steroids available to treat different forms of allergies and symptoms. Some of them are listed below: