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Friday, March 27, 2009

Should I have allergy shots for allergies to insect stings?

http://www.thankhealth.net/html/Diseases-Conditions/Allergy/Overview/200903/149.html

Introduction
This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision-making process or rely on your doctor's recommendation.
Key points in making your decision
Your decision about having allergy shots (immunotherapy) for allergies to insect stings will involve several issues regarding your current health and the likelihood that you might develop severe reactions to stings in the future. If your child is allergic to insect stings, these same factors will affect the decision about having allergy shots. Consider the following when making your decision:
If you have been stung in the past and had a systemic (whole-body) allergic reaction to the sting, you have a high risk of having a similar reaction if stung again.
If you had an anaphylactic (life-threatening) reaction in the past, immunotherapy significantly reduces your risk of having another severe systemic reaction from 60% to 3%.1
You may not need allergy shots if you had a normal (localized) reaction or a large localized allergic reaction to an insect sting in the past. Only about 1% to 10% of people with localized reactions to insect stings progress to a more serious, systemic allergic reaction.2
If you have taken allergy tests that identified one or more sensitivities to insect stings, immunotherapy can prevent life-threatening reactions and also reduce anxiety associated with insect stings.
Allergy shots may not be safe for you if you have an impaired immune system or certain kinds of heart problems.
Allergy shots are uncomfortable and costly, may trigger anaphylaxis in some people, and usually take 3 to 5 years to complete.
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