Perhaps your kiddo experiences severe allergies due to spring pollen, or maybe they have an allergy to your family dog. Either way, the symptoms they experience can make them miserable. While there are treatment options that can alleviate those symptoms, they only offer short-term relief. That’s where natural allergy medicine for kids and treatments like allergy immunotherapy come in. Allergy immunotherapy offers promising results for those experiencing allergies, working to desensitize the body to the allergen through repeated exposure.
Natural Allergy Medicines for Kids vs. Traditional Treatments
Allergies aren’t anything new. Allergic reactions have been documented for centuries, with some of the earliest records dating back to ancient Greek and Roman history. While the study of allergies as we know it didn’t find footing until the 1800s when Dr. John Bostock “discovered” hay fever, scientists and healthcare professionals have had ample time to study them.
Over the years, they’ve developed numerous treatment options, some more natural than others. Common natural allergy medicines include:
- Quercetin: An antioxidant in green tea, apples, and onions that may reduce allergy symptoms.
- Butterbur: An herbal supplement traditionally used for migraines and allergies.
- Sinus Flushing Devices: Tools that use saltwater solutions to alleviate nasal congestion.
- Probiotics: Supplements that may reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
- Immunotherapy: A treatment using small doses of allergens to desensitize the body.
While these treatment options have been used as a natural solution for years, modern medicine has brought about multiple alternatives. These options include:
- Antihistamines: Medications that help relieve sneezing, itching, and runny noses by blocking the action of histamine, a substance produced in the body during an allergic reaction.
- Corticosteroids: Anti-inflammatory meds that can reduce inflammation in airways and nasal passages to provide relief from allergy symptoms.
- Decongestants: Medications that reduce nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels.
Both options can be effective in addressing allergic symptoms. However, while modern treatments offer short-term relief, some natural options, like allergy immunotherapy, can be a long-term solution.
Exploring Allergy Immunotherapy: An Effective Natural Allergy Treatment
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is a treatment that desensitizes the body to a particular allergen, such as pollen, bee venom, or pet dander. By repeatedly exposing the body to the allergen, the treatment takes steps toward achieving an allergen-specific tolerance.
It does this by reducing the production of the “blocking” antibodies responsible for creating the allergic reaction. For example, suppose your kiddo is allergic to pet dander. When they’re exposed to pet dander, their immune system reacts, and those antibodies communicate with cells that release chemicals, resulting in the allergic response and symptoms.
So, by exposing your child’s body to the allergen and reducing the production of those antibodies, the treatment can desensitize the child’s body to it. Of course, this process takes time. After all, your body needs time to readjust.
With consistent doses, you may begin to notice significant improvements. You might notice that your child can enjoy places and experiences they previously couldn’t due to their allergies. Most folks begin to notice the effects within the first year, but the best results usually appear in years two and three.
That said, everyone is different, so the timeline for seeing results can vary.
Types of Allergy Immunotherapy
There are two core types of allergy immunotherapy: sublingual and subcutaneous. The first, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), involves drops or tablets that are administered under the tongue. The drops or tablets contain minuscule doses of the allergen, allowing the treatment to slowly desensitize your child’s body to the allergen.
The second option, subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), involves shots that are administered under the skin. The injection contains the dose of the allergen, achieving the same effect as SCIT.
Subcutaneous immunotherapy is the most common type of allergy immunotherapy, but sublingual immunotherapy is more popular among young children and needle-shy individuals. Both options are effective, so one isn’t inherently better than the other, and the best fit for you depends on your kiddo’s needs and preferences.
Does Allergy Immunotherapy Work?
While this might be the first time you’ve heard of allergy immunotherapy, it’s nothing new. It’s been around for over a century and was initially introduced in 1911 by John Freeman and Leonard Noon.
Since then, researchers and healthcare professionals have unraveled its secrets, learning about its efficacy and how it works. Numerous studies and trials now document its remarkable efficacy, positioning it as an effective, long-term solution to irritating allergies.
For example, one study looked at the treatment’s long-term impact on allergic rhinitis. It found that both types of immunotherapy offer clinical benefits and immunological changes that indicate an allergen-specific tolerance.
Another study compared an AIT-treated group to a control group, focusing on asthma prescriptions and allergic rhinitis. Researchers found that the AIT-treated group experienced significant reductions in asthma prescriptions and allergic rhinitis and also had a higher chance of stepping down asthma treatment.
Wrapping Up: Natural Allergy Medicine for Kids
Natural allergy medicines and treatments provide safe and effective solutions for managing allergic reactions. While modern treatments offer short-term relief, natural options, like allergy immunotherapy, can provide long-term benefits.
Allergy immunotherapy, in particular, has been proven to desensitize the body to specific allergens and offer lasting relief from allergic symptoms. With continued research and advancements, natural allergy treatments continue to offer hope for those seeking effective and lasting solutions for allergies. Remember to chat with your doctor first if you’re considering allergy immunotherapy for your child’s allergies.
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