Welcome back to our three-part series on allergen immunotherapy! In Part 1, we covered the basics of how allergy shots retrain the immune system. Today, as your trusted Alpharetta pediatrician, we want to help you determine if your child might be a strong candidate for this treatment based on established pediatric criteria.

What Symptoms Can Improve? Allergy shots do more than just stop the sniffles; they can fundamentally change how your child's body reacts to the environment. They may help improve:

• Allergic rhinitis: Chronic runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing.

• Asthma symptoms: Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

• Eczema: Dry, itchy, cracking, or scaling skin.

Importantly, allergy shots may also help prevent the progression of allergic disease, such as keeping allergic rhinitis from developing into asthma, or preventing the development of additional environmental allergies down the road.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Allergy Shots? Not every child with the sniffles needs immunotherapy. Children must meet specific criteria to be considered for allergy shots:

• Age: They are generally recommended for children 5 years of age and older.

• Symptoms: Candidates usually have chronic or progressive allergic rhinitis, or asthma and eczema that is difficult to control and has frequent flare-ups.

• Medication Burden: This is an excellent route for children who want or need to reduce their reliance on long-term daily allergy medications.

• Type of Allergy: Allergy shots exclusively treat environmental allergies (such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander). It is important to note that food allergies are not treated with allergy shots.

If your child meets these criteria, it might be time for a consultation! Check out Part 3, where your Alpharetta pediatrician breaks down the time commitment and practical considerations for parents.