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Health

What do Hay Fever Injections do?

By H. Lo
Updated May 17, 2024
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Hay fever injections alleviate allergy symptoms that are caused by hay fever. There are generally two different treatment options for hay fever that call for injections. The first one is immunotherapy, and the other is steroid injections. Immunotherapy injections are administered over a period of time, and they desensitize the hay fever sufferer from allergies. Steroid injections last only a certain amount of time and reduce the effects of hay fever on an individual during that time.

Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is caused by allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander. A person who suffers from hay fever might have allergic reactions to a various combination of these allergens. Allergic responses include sneezing, coughing and watery or itchy eyes. A runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy throat are other symptoms of hay fever.

Depending on whether a person suffers from reactions to indoor or outdoor allergens, symptoms of hay fever can show up at different times of the year. Symptoms can even last all year long if a person suffers from both indoor and outdoor allergens. The severity of the symptoms can vary as well.

Generally, people develop hay fever because of genetics or simply because of reactions to allergens. It often begins between childhood and early adulthood, but anyone can develop it at any age. Hay fever can interfere with everyday activities, which is why treatment is sought.

For some people, hay fever injections are the chosen treatment option. Immunotherapy, or desensitization, is one type of injection treatment method. The allergen is injected into the patient in doses that are increased over a period of as long as five years. This treatment enables the patient to get used to the allergen and eventually build up immunity. It also helps to prevent asthma.

Steroid injections are another type of injection treatment method. Though it might depend on the patient and the severity of the condition, steroid injections are usually injected once during the season or at the onset of severe hay fever. The single injection is meant to last for the allotted time only. In some cases, additional injections might be required if the initial dose has been absorbed before the end of the season.

Hay fever injections are not the only hay fever treatment options available. In fact, injections are usually the last type of treatment to be considered. Some of the first options are antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops and inhibitors. When these treatment options do not work to alleviate symptoms, hay fever injections might be considered.

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Discussion Comments

By fBoyle — On Nov 14, 2014

I have been suffering from hay fever for years and have been looking for a solution. I've tried prescription medications and homeopathic remedies. I've even used pollen supplements and special honeys to try to build some sort of immunity with no luck. I was not aware that there are immunotherapy injections for hay fever though.

Has anyone here used immunotherapy for this purpose? Has it worked?

Five years seems like a very long time to treat hay fever. But if my body is going to become completely immune after five years, then it's probably worth it. If anyone has used this treatment with success, please let me know. I will look into it if it works.

By SarahGen — On Nov 13, 2014

@SteamLouis-- The article has mentioned that this is a last resort in treating hay fever. Most people with hay fever don't use injections. Over the counter medications and treatments are enough for most people.

There is a small percentage of people though, who develop hay fever symptoms so severely that their general health is at risk. Extreme allergic reactions to pollen or genetic inclinations can cause the person to have breathing problems. In fact, some people develop asthma as a complication of hay fever.

In these cases, hay fever injections are recommended, in fact, they are sometimes necessary. As you know, asthma attacks can even lead to death and they are treated with steroids. So it makes sense that someone with severe hay fever would be treated similarly.

By SteamLouis — On Nov 12, 2014

Aren't hay fever injections a bit too drastic? I get hay fever too during allergy season and I hate it, but I don't think I would want to use steroids or anything else to treat them. I don't deny that it's an annoying condition but allergy medications and avoiding outdoors does make it manageable.

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