Medically reviewed by Oghenefejiro Okifo | MD, Harvard Medical School | Henry Ford Hospital - Detroit, MI on April 27th, 2024.
Immunotherapy involves weekly injections for 3-6 months during the build-up phase, then maintenance shots every 2-4 weeks for 3-5 years to achieve lasting tolerance.
Local reactions like redness and swelling at injection sites are common, while severe systemic reactions occur in less than 1% of cases—requiring 30-minute observation periods after each shot.
Studies show 85-90% of patients experience significant symptom reduction, with many able to discontinue daily antihistamines and nasal sprays after completing treatment.
Candidates typically have severe seasonal or perennial allergies poorly controlled by medications, plus confirmed positive skin tests or blood work to specific environmental allergens.
Treatment must be postponed during active illness, asthma exacerbations, or when peak flow drops below 70% of personal best to prevent serious reactions.
If you're tired of relying on allergy medications to manage your symptoms, you may want to consider allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. This treatment involves exposing your body to tiny amounts of your allergy triggers, helping your immune system build tolerance over time. While allergy shots are not a quick fix, they can provide long-lasting relief and may even eliminate your allergy symptoms altogether.
Allergy shots work by gradually introducing your body to the substances that trigger your allergies, such as pollen, pet dander, mold, or dust mites. Your allergist will create a personalized shot formulation based on your allergy test results. The shots are administered in your upper arm, and the amount of allergens in each shot is slowly increased until you reach a maintenance dose.
Visit your allergist for testing to determine your specific allergy triggers
Receive shots once or twice a week for 3-6 months
Wait in the allergist's office for 30 minutes after each shot to monitor for reactions
Once you reach the maintenance dose, shots are typically administered every 2-4 weeks for 3-5 years
While allergy shots require a significant time commitment, they offer several benefits for allergy sufferers:
Long-lasting relief from allergy symptoms
Reduced need for allergy medications
Potential elimination of allergy symptoms altogether
Improved quality of life
Allergy shots can decrease the symptoms of allergies such as hay fever. The effectiveness of allergy shots is related to the duration of treatment as well as the dose of the allergen. Response to the allergy shots also depends on the individual.
Since allergy shots contain small amounts of the substances you're allergic to, there is a risk of side effects. Common side effects include:
Redness, swelling, or irritation at the injection site
Increased allergy symptoms, such as stuffy nose, runny nose, or itchy eyes
In rare cases, allergy shots can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives, swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. To minimize the risk of severe reactions, you will be monitored in your allergist's office for 30 minutes after each shot.
If you're considering allergy shots, it's essential to discuss your options with an experienced allergist. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your individual circumstances. Allergy shots may not be recommended if you have certain health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, or if you take certain medications that could interfere with the treatment.
While allergy shots require a significant investment of time and patience, they offer the potential for long-lasting relief from allergy symptoms. If you're ready to take control of your allergies and improve your quality of life, talk to your allergist about whether immunotherapy is right for you.
This long-term treatment can provide lasting relief for severe environmental allergies, potentially eliminating the need for daily medications after 3-5 years of consistent injections. Success requires strict adherence to the schedule and close monitoring by an experienced allergist throughout the process. If you're struggling with persistent allergy symptoms despite medication, Doctronic can help determine if you're a candidate for immunotherapy.
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