Allergy Shots Specialist
Dr. Jamie Kratz is an Allergist who serves the residents of both Trinity and Port Richey, FL. Specializing in Immunology and the treatment of allergies, Dr. Kratz has dedicated his practice to helping his patients find relief from a variety of allergy symptoms.
Allergy Shots
Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms including watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, skin rashes, hives, and asthma attacks. Once a patient knows exactly what they are allergic to, an allergist can create serums that are injected on a regular basis to help them build immunities. As the immunities begin to become more prevalent in the body, allergy symptoms become less severe
How Are Allergies Determined?
Allergy testing must be performed to determine just what a patient is allergic to. Most allergists and immunologists who perform allergy testing use a “scratch test”. During a scratch test, the doctor places several small scratches on the patient’s arm or upper back. Small amounts of allergens are then placed on the scratched area. If the area becomes irritated, red and starts to itch, the patient is said to be having an allergic reaction. Pollen, dust, molds, and pet dander are some of the most common types of allergens.
How Often Does a Person Need to Receive Allergy Shots?
The frequency of a person’s allergy shot schedule will be determined by the severity of their symptoms and the number of allergens they react to. In most cases, allergy shots will be received once a week for a pre-determined number of weeks. Over the first few weeks, the amount of serum will be gradually increased. When a certain dose has been reached, the time between shots will be increased, and the process begins again. After a certain dose and time, the span has been reached, the patient will be put on a maintenance dose.
Are Allergy Shots a Permanent Solution?
Depending on the person’s health and how well they respond to the allergy shot regimen, allergy shots may be successful in building the immunities are needed. While they may not be a permanent solution, they can help dramatically reduce the severity of a patient’s allergy symptoms.