What about allergy shots in older people?
If an older person has significant allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis or asthma, allergy shots can be a beneficial therapy. Most people who undergo allergen immunotherapy require fewer medications to treat their allergy symptoms, and a significant number of people require no medication at all.Are allergy shots safe in older people?
There are specific concerns with the safety of allergy shots in the elderly, especially if the person has other medical problems or is taking certain medications. Older people are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart problems, and a history of blood clots or strokes. Allergy shots should be used with extreme caution in people with these medical problems, since anaphylaxis as a side effect of the allergy shots may be more dangerous. The treatment for anaphylaxis, epinephrine injections, may also cause additional problems in older patients with any of the above medical problems.In addition to certain medical problems, older patients are more likely to be taking medications that place them at a higher risk of reactions from allergy shots. Beta-blockers are a class of medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, and are frequently taken in someone who has had a heart attack. These medications can worsen anaphylaxis and make reactions to allergy shots more difficult to treat, and therefore allergy shots should not be given to someone who requires a beta-blocker medication.
Find out more about the basics of allergy shots.
Source:
Allergen Immunotherapy Practice Parameters. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003; 90:S1-40.
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