Allergies are no fun, especially for kiddos. They’re annoying and downright uncomfortable, often getting in the way of daily activities, from playing sports to focusing on schoolwork. If your child suffers from allergies, you may be considering allergy immunotherapy. After all, it offers promising, long-term results, making it a great alternative to temporary allergy medications.
But which type of allergy immunotherapy should you choose? Allergy shots? Allergy drops? Here’s what you need to know about each option to ensure you can make an informed decision.
Children’s Allergies: The Basics
Allergies in kids and adults stem from the same thing: they’re reactions in the body to a foreign substance called an allergen. These allergens often include things like certain pasture grasses, bee venom, and pet dander.
When your child’s body is exposed to the allergen, their immune system leaps into action. This reaction triggers the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction. In kiddos, these symptoms often include:
- Skin rashes
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Stomach upset
In severe cases, anaphylaxis can occur, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Understanding Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy is a specialized treatment that helps your body’s immune system become less reactive to a particular allergen. It has been proven to be highly effective for people from all walks of life, including kiddos.
It works by delivering small, incrementally increasing doses of the allergen to your child’s body via an injection, tablet, or drop. It repeatedly exposes your child’s immune system to the allergen, which, over time, can help desensitize your child’s immune system to the allergen.
The process takes time, usually requiring two to three years, to see noticeable improvements. However, with time, you may notice that your child’s allergic symptoms dramatically reduce or disappear altogether! Of course, every child is different, so results can vary.
Types of Allergy Immunotherapy
There are two types of allergy immunotherapy: sublingual allergy immunotherapy and subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy. The first, called sublingual allergy immunotherapy, involves tablets or drops delivered underneath the tongue. FDA-approved options for this type of treatment are limited, but numerous off-label use options are available and highly effective.
The second type, called subcutaneous immunotherapy, is administered under the skin using a needle. This option is more popular among adults, as many kiddos can’t tolerate the repeated injections.
Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops: Is One Better?
Both allergy shots and allergy drops have merits—neither one is inherently better. However, you may find that one option better suits your child’s needs. Allergy drops tend to be the more popular of the two, but ultimately, it depends on you and your child’s needs.
Comfortability with Needles
Those are a big thing, especially for kiddos. Many children are needle-shy, so subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy isn’t the greatest fit. Because of this, many parents opt for allergy drops instead of allergy shots because the former can be administered at home and doesn’t require injections.
Scheduling Flexibility
Scheduling is another big thing to consider when debating between these two options. Allergy shots present a higher risk of an adverse reaction, so for each injection, you’ll need to take your child to your allergist for each injection and remain for a set period afterward for monitoring.
If you already have a busy schedule, finding time to schedule those appointments can be a nightmare. So, in this case, sublingual immunotherapy may be the better option because it doesn’t require doctor visits. Instead, you can give your child each of the doses from the comfort of your own home—no extra doctor visits are required.
Cost
For many parents, the cost of treatment is another deciding factor. In general, sublingual immunotherapy is more affordable out of pocket, but subcutaneous immunotherapy may be cheaper with health insurance. Most health insurance providers don’t cover sublingual immunotherapy, but they do cover subcutaneous therapy.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option out of pocket, sublingual immunotherapy or allergy drops might be the better option. However, if you want something that your health insurance policy will cover, subcutaneous immunotherapy or allergy shots might be the better option.
Convenience
Convenience, while not the biggest deciding factor, is another thing to think about when debating between allergy shots and allergy drops.
With allergy shots, you’ll need to carve time out of your schedule to bring your child to appointments. If you need to leave work or get your other children ready, pick your child up from school, and drive across town for each appointment, this option can be quite a headache.
So, in this regard, allergy drops sparkle. They’re the ultra-convenient option, given that you can administer each dose to your child at home. You won’t need to worry about the hassle of carting your kiddos to a doctor’s appointment. Instead, administering each dose is as simple as placing the drops or tablets under your child’s tongue.
So, Which One is Greatest?
Both allergy drops and allergy shots have advantages and disadvantages. Because of this, neither one is inherently better than the other for kids. Ultimately, the best fit for your family and child comes down to factors specific to your situation.
If you’re looking for a convenient option that doesn’t require doctor visits and can be administered from home, allergy drops are the ideal option. Or, if you’re looking for something that your health insurance provider will cover, allergy shots might be the best option. It all comes down to you and your family’s needs.
As with any change in your child’s medical care, remember to talk to their pediatrician first. Your child’s doctor can help you determine the best treatment for their needs and medical history.
