Precautions for Patients Receiving Allergy Shots:
- ALL PATIENTS SHOULD REMAIN IN THE WAITING AREA FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER EACH SHOT.
- Adverse reactions to allergy shots may occur at any time, usually they occur within the first
30 minutes. The fact that a person has previously received allergy shots without reactions does not
eliminate the possibility of a serious reaction in the future. Shot reactions can occur at any
time!!!
- Vigorous exercise, particularly in hot muggy weather, may increase the risk of an adverse
reaction to allergy shots. One should avoid allergy shots before periods of planned exercise.
- Potentially serious reactions, which should be brought to the attention of the nurse or doctor
IMMEDIATELY, include:
- Sensation of generalized warmth followed by localized or generalized itching.
- Sensation of tightness in throat (lump in throat) or chest, cough or wheeze.
- Sensation of swelling or itching of the throat, tongue or roof of mouth.
- Itching of the nose followed by sneezing, nasal stuffiness and eye symptoms such as
redness, itching or puffiness.
- Hives (localized or generalized) occurring within several minutes after the injection.
- Feeling of faintness.
If you or someone else in the waiting area experience any of these symptoms, report immediately
to the nurse or doctor for treatment.
THE MOST DANGEROUS REACTIONS OCCUR WITHIN MINUTUES AFTER THE INJECTION. THIS IS THE
REASON FOR MINIMUM WAITING PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES.
- If any of the above symptoms occur after you leave, contact the clinic where you received your
shot or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
- Swelling at the injection site may be treated by placing ice on the swollen area. This helps
decrease the size of the swelling. Oral antihistamines may help reduce local itching.
- Symptoms starting more than 24 hours after the injection are probably not related to the
injection.
- Taking the allergy shots regularly reduces the risk of an adverse reaction. During the initial
build-up, the injection dose is usually increased only when given weekly. If you are more than one
week late for your injection, the dose may be reduced.
- It is very important to report any reactions (or any other difficulties related to injections)
to the nurse or doctor before the next injection, so that any necessary dose adjustment can be
made.
- Allergy shots may be continued during pregnancy, but the dosage is often reduced.
[Keywords: allergy shots]
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