Millions of American seniors suffer from allergies every year, whether it’s a seasonal allergy or a sensitivity to pet dander. These allergies can bring about a crop of unpleasant symptoms, from runny noses and itchy eyes to respiratory problems, making you feel miserable.
Thankfully, there’s a solution that can provide long-term relief: allergy shots. This remarkable treatment offers impressive results and is highly effective for seniors, making it a good option for those searching for a solution. But how much do allergy shots cost? In this article, we’ll explore the basics of allergy shots and associated costs to help you determine if they’re right for your needs.
What Are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots are a type of allergy immunotherapy (AIT), a treatment that “trains” your immune system to become less reactive to a particular substance, called an allergen. These allergens can vary, including bee venom, pollen, pet dander, pasture grasses, and more.
How Do Allergy Shots Work?
Before we explore how allergy shots work, it’s important to understand the basics of allergies. In straightforward terms, an allergy is your immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance it deems harmful. Your body produces antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen, that flag the substance as harmful, even though it isn’t.
So, when you’re exposed to the allergen, those antibodies jump into action. They communicate with cells that release specific chemicals, resulting in your allergic symptoms. With that in mind, we can move onto how allergy shots work.
Allergy shots work by administering a small, gradually increasing dose of an allergen to your body. This, over time, helps achieve an allergen-specific tolerance by reducing the production of the “blocking” antibodies that cause the reaction.
The process allows your immune system to build a tolerance to the allergen in a safe way, eventually allowing you to enjoy alleviated allergies. Of course, the results can look different for everyone. For most, the first changes appear in the first year, but years two and three bring about the best results.
Are Allergy Shots a Good Option for Seniors?
While many studies have previously excluded the senior demographic from AIT studies, many recent studies have found that aged individuals also respond well to AIT. So, it can be a good option for seniors with irritating allergies, including respiratory and insect sting allergies.
Of course, as with any age group, it’s important to consider any medical conditions that may affect the treatment. Your doctor or allergist can help you determine whether allergy shots are right for you.
How Much Do Allergy Shots Cost?
The cost of allergy shots hinges on a variety of factors specific to your treatment plan, such as the number of doses you’ll need and whether or not your insurance plan covers it. On average, most people pay between $1,000 and $4,000 for allergy immunotherapy each year.
Managing Allergy Shot Costs
Paying several thousand dollars each year for allergy immunotherapy can be a challenge for many Americans, especially if you’re on a fixed income. Thankfully, there are a few ways to keep costs in check.
The first? Health insurance coverage. It can make a world of difference in the out-of-pocket costs you pay for your treatment. Most health insurance policies cover the cost of allergy shots, as they’re often deemed a medically necessary treatment. Of course, this can vary based on the specifics of your policy or provider. If you’re not sure whether AIT is included in coverage, check with your healthcare provider.
If your health insurance policy covers AIT, you’ll probably pay no more than your deductible plus any copays. This makes the cost substantially more doable, lowering the barrier to entry for lower-income individuals.
The second option is to consider a more cost-effective alternative. For example, you might opt for allergy drops, which are often more affordable than allergy shots. Many immunotherapy providers that offer allergy drops offer tiered or more flexible pricing plans, making the treatment more feasible for tighter budgets.
Closing Thoughts
Allergy shots can be a beneficial and effective option for seniors struggling with allergies. They can provide long-term relief from irritating allergy symptoms, improving overall quality of life. While the cost of allergy shots may seem unfeasible, there are various ways to manage the costs and make your treatment plan work for your budget.
Whether you enlist help from your health insurance coverage or choose a budget-friendly alternative, you use various methods to keep your AIT treatment costs within budget. As always, remember to talk to your healthcare provider before beginning treatment. They can help you choose the best treatment plan for your needs, and they might even be able to help you find an affordable option!