The allergy shot group saw a 55 percent reduction in allergy symptoms and a 64 percent drop in the use of allergy medication.
Hay fever, particularly in seniors, can be challenging to diagnose and treat due to complications from other coexisting health problems. The researchers found that seniors’ aging immune system doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of allergy shots.
Dr. Ira Finegold, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, said in a news release, “Older people who suffer from hay fever may have health challenges that younger people do not. Hay fever is often ignored in older patients as a less significant health problem because of diseases such as asthma, coronary heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Also, some baby boomers might not realize they have allergies, and their physicians might not suggest allergy shots. The research indicated that allergy shots were extremely effective for this group.”
The findings were published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.