What Are Allergy Shots

Allergy immunotherapy also known as “allergy shots” works by gradually exposing the patient to increasing doses of the substances to which he or she is allergic. Allergy shots are made up of allergy extract that desensitizes the patient so that over time their allergy symptoms are reduced or even eliminated. While allergy medications might control symptoms, when you stop taking medications, your allergy symptoms will return. Allergy immunotherapy on the other hand is the only treatment that can lead to permanent remission of your allergies.

After completing a course of immunotherapy, many patients can stop and maintain excellent ongoing relief. Research shows that allergen immunotherapy can also help prevent the development of new allergies and asthma. Allergy immunotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic asthma, insect sting allergy, and atopic dermatitis. Charleston Allergy and Asthma prescribes high dose allergy immunotherapy in line with guidelines from the ACAAI and AAAAI national allergy societies. Use of high dose allergy immunotherapy maximizes both the immediate benefits and the duration of those benefits.

Allergy shots should be considered for people who do not respond completely to treatment with medications, who experience side effects from medications, who do not want to take medications indefinitely, who have allergen exposure that is unavoidable, or who desire a more permanent solution to their allergic problem. For many patients, allergy immunotherapy can be a great option that allows them to come off of their allergy medications and achieve long lasting relief.

In fact, published economic studies demonstrate that allergy shots can yield savings to insurance plans by reducing the number of sick visits and medications used over a five-year period. Allergy shots also become less expensive over time as the number of shot visits and amount of extract purchased decreases year after year. Once the shots are discontinued the benefit goes on for years after and often indefinitely at no additional cost.

Who Would Benefit From Allergy Shots

In general, allergy shots will provide greater relief of allergies for most patients. Unlike the allergy oral tablets, allergy shots can be tailored to a specific patient’s allergies. Allergy shots can include effective doses to most or all of the different substances to which a patient is allergic in order to desensitize them to each allergen (i.e. animal dander, pollens, dust mites, mold, etc.). Allergy shots can provide long lasting relief of allergies, reduce development of new allergic sensitivity and potentially reduce the development of asthma with decreased need for medications. After a course of immunotherapy patients can typically come off shots with ongoing relief. It’s the closest thing we have as a cure and is often more cost effective than a lifetime of meds. 

It is important to see a board-certified allergist/immunologist (a recognized subspecialty of both internal medicine and pediatrics) when making your allergy and asthma healthcare decisions. Allergist/ immunologists are trained in interpretation of laboratory, skin, and lung function tests and know the effective allergen doses required and which allergens can be combined together safely.

Considering Allergy Shots

You should consider allergy shots if you:

• Have moderate to severe allergies
• Have frequent respiratory tract infections
• Do not respond to or do not tolerate allergy medications
• Would prefer to avoid a lifetime fo allergy medication use
• Are willing to commit to a regularly scheduled treatment plan
• Have chronic sinusitis or asthma due to allergies
• Are interested in a long-term allergy treatment option 
• Have anaphylaxis from insect stings

Do Allergy Shots Hurt?

Allergy shots are usually given in the back side of the upper arm just under the skin. They are not as painful as a flu shot or other vaccination. The needle is typical of what is used for insulin injections. Even young children rarely have issues with the pain from the shot. Charleston Allergy and Asthma nurses witness children and adults receiving shots with little concern for pain daily. Having a small local reaction of redness and itching in the hours after the shot is somewhat common but well tolerated by most patients.