Allergy Immunotherapy for Children: Is It Safe?
Allergy immunotherapy is touted as a highly effective solution to allergies in people from all walks of life. It has been proven to be incredibly effective in treating various types of allergies time and time again, demonstrating how helpful it can be in kicking annoying allergy symptoms to the curb.
But as a parent, it’s only natural to question the safety of a treatment for your child, especially if this is the first time you’ve heard of it. Thankfully, it remains a viable solution, even for kiddos. Experts deem it safe for children as young as five or younger if they opt for allergy drops instead of allergy shots.
Understanding Children’s Allergies
A child’s allergy is much like that in an adult—it’s your child’s immune system’s response to a foreign substance it recognizes as harmful. In most cases, that allergen is completely harmless. It might be the dead skin your furry friend sheds off (pet dander), pollen dropping from the trees in the spring, or even waving pasture grasses like Timothy.
When your child is exposed to the allergen, whatever it might be, their immune system takes action. Their body produces antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen. Upon exposure, those antibodies communicate with specific cells that release chemicals, causing the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction.
These symptoms often vary slightly from one child to the next but may include:
- Skin rashes
- Hives
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Stomach upset
- Difficulty breathing
What is Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergies are no fun for anyone, especially kiddos. So, since allergy immunotherapy can offer long-term results, it’s no surprise that it has become a popular solution, especially in children. It’s simply a treatment that works to desensitize the immune system.
It works by delivering a small dose of the allergen that slowly increases over time. This exposure gives your child’s immune system the opportunity to become tolerant to that particular allergen. It takes a while to achieve this result, but with time, the doses help reduce the production of the “blocking” antibodies responsible for kickstarting the reaction.
This may translate to reduced allergy symptoms and, in some cases, may even mean that your child experiences little to no symptoms. It all depends on how your child’s body responds to the treatment.
Types of Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy is administered in one of two ways: by mouth or via an injection. The first, administered by mouth, is called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). It uses liquid drops or tablets to contain the allergen, delivering the dose quickly and easily under the tongue.
The second, administered via an injection, is called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). It uses an injectable form of the allergen, which is delivered under the skin using a small needle. This method of administration has a higher chance of an adverse reaction, given the more direct method, so if you go this route, you’ll need to visit a doctor or allergist for each injection. You’ll also need to wait with your kiddo for a while after each injection for monitoring (this is a safety precaution that monitors for an adverse reaction).
Is Allergy Immunotherapy Safe for Kids?
Allergy immunotherapy has been studied in people from all walks of life, including kiddos. It has been deemed safe for children under five years of age, although most experts recommend waiting until the five-year mark to start (if you want to go the injection route).
When you wait until your kiddo is five, you can ensure they’re old enough to communicate their symptoms and better tolerate the routine injections. Of course, if you want to go the allergy drops (or tablets) route, you can always start earlier.
The recommended five-year mark exists for allergy shots since frequent injections can be tough on little children. But with allergy drops, you don’t have to wait that long to start since the treatment doesn’t involve any injections. Instead, it’s as simple as dropping a few drops of liquid under your child’s tongue and letting their immune system do the rest.
Does Allergy Immunotherapy Actually Work?
Allergy immunotherapy does work, but the transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it takes months to years for the first results to appear. You might start to notice improvements in your kiddo in the first year, but it usually takes two to three years for the best results to appear.
The efficacy of this treatment has been widely documented throughout numerous studies and trials. For example, a handful of research and clinical trials examined repeated subcutaneous injections (allergy shots) and their efficacy in achieving an allergen-specific tolerance. They found that the injections can successfully achieve such a tolerance, which remains for years after the treatment is discontinued.
A study evaluated the long-term impact of allergy immunotherapy on allergic rhinitis. This particular study found that both types of AIT (sublingual and subcutaneous) can successfully treat allergic rhinitis. The treatments offer clinical benefits and immunological changes indicative of an allergen-specific tolerance.
These are just a couple of the many pieces of research out there. To learn more about this treatment, check reputable sites like the NIH or for published information in the medical books at your local library.
Closing Thoughts
Allergy immunotherapy is generally considered a safe option for children as young as five years old (if you go with allergy shots). It’s a highly effective solution that offers long-term benefits, so if your kiddo is suffering from annoying allergies, it can be a good option. Of course, as with any change in your child’s medical care, it’s important to chat with your pediatrician. They can help you determine the best course of action based on your child’s needs and medical history.