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Allergy Injection Therapy

What are allergy shots?

Allergy shots, also referred to as allergy injections or immunotherapy, are in essence a series of injections to control allergy symptoms. Allergy shots are not a medication. They are a vaccine. Receiving allergy shots desensitizes allergy patients to their specific allergens and is the only way to “turn off” the immune system’s reactions. Allergy patients frequently choose to get rid of their allergies and become medication “free.” During immunotherapy, the patient will gradually develop a stronger tolerance of his or her allergens. With allergy shots, your allergy symptoms can be decreased, minimized or even eliminated.

Who should consider receiving allergy shots?

You should consider allergy shots if complete avoidance of your allergens is impossible, or if you:

  • have moderate to severe allergies
  • have frequent respiratory tract infections
  • do not respond to allergy medications
  • would prefer to avoid a lifetime of allergy medication use
  • are willing to commit to a regularly scheduled treatment plan
  • have chronic sinusitis or asthma due to allergies

How do allergy shots work?

Allergy shots work like a vaccine. Whereas a vaccine contains traces of a specific disease or bacteria, allergy shots contain traces of your specific allergens–the very things that trigger an allergic reaction from your immune system. By gradually increasing the doses of your allergen, your body develops an immunity and/or tolerance to that allergen. In essence, allergy shots turn off an inappropriate immune response–your allergic reaction to a plant, tree, pet or mold–while still allowing your immune system to respond normally to infectious agents, especially viruses.

Allergy shots occur in two phases:

  1. Build-up phase: involves a routine of injections with increasing amounts of allergens.
  2. Maintenance phase: begins when the effective therapeutic dose is achieved. Once this maintenance dose is reached, injections generally become less frequent.

Allergy injection therapy is typically continued for a period of several years. Many patients have long-lasting improvement after allergy injections are stopped.