Cedar Allergy Shots: Is This the Solution for You?

If you’re struggling with cedar allergies, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that about 10% of the population suffers from an allergy to cedar pollen, which gets kicked up during the spring and summer months when trees begin to bloom in many regions of the country. Unfortunately, there are no reliable over-the-counter solutions that can help you manage your allergy symptoms, so many people turn to cedar allergy shots in order to get relief from their symptoms year-round.

Overview

Cedar pollen is one of the most common allergens in North America. For some, cedar allergy symptoms can be mild, but others experience nasal congestion, sneezing and itching. Cedar shots (also known as immunotherapy) have been shown to be highly effective at reducing or eliminating allergic reactions from cedar pollen exposure. The treatment consists of a series of injections that are given over time; after approximately 18 months, most people are able to enjoy life without severe reactions to cedar pollen. But does it work? What do you need to know about getting cedar shots? Here's what you need to know about getting them.

What Are Cedar Shots?

Allergy shots for cedar fever are a means of immunotherapy that can help those with cedar allergies learn to live more comfortably. Cedar trees produce small amounts of pollen year-round, making cedar pollen one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Pollen released in spring and summer can lead to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, and can even cause asthma attacks. If you're wondering if cedar shots could help you manage your year-round allergy symptoms, read on to learn more about how they work.

Benefits of Cedar Shots

Cedar allergies are considered to be one of the most common airborne allergies among adults, especially those who live in northern states. When exposed to airborne cedar pollen, reactions such as watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose can occur. While there isn’t a cure for cedar allergy, treatment involves taking allergy shots over a long period of time. These shots act as an immunotherapy—training your immune system to slowly get used to allergens and reduce symptoms over time. Cedar shots are safe and effective if taken consistently but might require a long-term commitment to see results...

When Can I Have Them Done?

Cedar shots aren’t a great solution. In fact, they’re not recommended at all by most doctors. The injection itself isn’t too bad—the shot usually only takes a few seconds—but it can be expensive and time-consuming to undergo treatment. As stated by the advanced allergy and asthma center, if you have allergies to cedar and you’ve been prescribed allergy shots, ask your doctor about whether it would be cheaper to buy over-the-counter medications or try using a different pillow and bedding set altogether. However, if your allergies are so severe that even changing pillowcases makes them worse, seek medical attention as soon as possible; there may be another underlying cause behind your cedar allergy that requires professional care in order to resolve.

How Does it Work?

Cedar shots are a type of immunotherapy, which is a long-term process to desensitize your body and reduce symptoms. The goal is to reduce your sensitivity to allergens so you have fewer symptoms and can breathe easier. Immunotherapy, like other forms of treatment, requires commitment. There isn’t one single approach—it depends on what works best for you—but it often involves seeing an allergist or immunologist regularly until you see improvement. While some treatments are free (you may only need to pay if they don’t work), others come with hefty price tags. In addition to cedar shots, there are also alternatives that cost less but may be more suitable in certain cases.

Who Should and Shouldn’t Have Them Done?

Unfortunately, allergy shots, unlike microneedling treatment, are not suitable for everyone with allergies. If you’re allergic to pollens, you may be able to receive them year-round. However, if you have specific allergies that only occur during certain seasons—such as ragweed or cat dander—you may only be able to get shots on an as-needed basis. To find out whether or not allergy shots are right for you, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor and make sure you fully understand how these treatments work.

Final Thoughts

Allergic reactions are some of the most annoying and uncomfortable things for a person to experience. You never know when the reaction is going to come on or if it will be as bad as it was before. Cedar Shots could be a great solution for you if you live in an area that has lots of cedars or any other types of trees that you are allergic to. This is a proven way for people to get relief from their allergies when they go outside, especially in the spring and summer months when everything starts blooming again. Although Cedar Allergy Shots aren’t cheap, they can help provide peace of mind knowing that you won’t have any allergic reactions while outside enjoying your backyard or even in the city walking down the sidewalk. Visit us at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center.