Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site pyuxss.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!pyuxww!pyuxss!sebb From: sebb@pyuxss.UUCP (S Badian) Newsgroups: net.med Subject: Re: Allergies and Treatments Thereof Message-ID: <340@pyuxss.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Jun-84 15:30:18 EDT Article-I.D.: pyuxss.340 Posted: Tue Jun 12 15:30:18 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Jun-84 01:19:37 EDT References: <427@ihu1g.UUCP> Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J. Lines: 33 I have gone through testing and shots on two separate occasions. The first time was in college. The testing was extensive and I got 2 shots every week or two for dusts, pollens, dogs, and cats. I stopped getting the shots because I graduated and was moving around too much to find another allergist. This winter I found another allergist and he did the testing again and now I am getting shots for just ragweed pollen. You should find a real allergist to do the testing and shots. It's worth the money and the pain. The testing usually involves the injection of an extremely small amount of allergen under the skin. The dosage is increased until a reaction of a certain severity is obtained. The reaction is not great, just a small bump. Once the allergist determines your sensitivity to the allergens, you can start getting shots. Some people have had reactions, even severe ones, from shots. But allergists are very careful. You have to sit in the office 15 min. after your shot so if you do have a severe reaction they can treat you. The shots start out as being teeny-tiny amounts of allergens, and the concentration is slowly increased. That is why relief isn't immediate and why you must always get the shots. The first time I had the shots I did find they helped, especially the cat, dog, and ragweed. I'm no longer getting the cat and dog because I can avoid them. If you are very allergic to all manner of things you should probably get the testing and the shots. But, find an allergist first. Find one that will do the interdermal testing because it is currently the most reliable form of testing. Shots don't work for everyone, but they help an awful lot of allergy sufferers. I speak from experience. Hope you find this helpful and if you have any more questions, just ask. Sharon Badian