What Are Allergy Shots?

Allergies, whether the kind that creeps in with the seasons or those that persist year-round like an uninvited guest, can wreak havoc on daily life. Enter allergen immunotherapy—commonly known as allergy shots—a treatment designed to retrain your immune system. These shots introduce minuscule amounts of the offending allergen into your body, gradually escalating the dose to cultivate tolerance and mitigate your hypersensitive reactions over time.

While the process demands commitment—both in time and effort—the long-term rewards can be profound. Those who persist may experience life-altering relief. If you're considering this form of immunotherapy, let’s dive into the details to see if it’s the right fit for you.

How To Prepare

If allergy shots pique your interest, the first step is a consultation with an allergist. They’ll assess whether this course of treatment aligns with your specific sensitivities. Pinpointing your exact allergy triggers is crucial before beginning the injections.

An allergist will employ diagnostic tools—such as skin prick tests or blood analysis—to identify what’s causing your immune system distress. Except for food allergies, confirmed triggers can be incorporated into your personalized allergy shot regimen.

Can Everyone Get Allergy Shots?

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for allergy immunotherapy. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to determine if this treatment is suitable for your allergies and overall health profile.

Who Can Benefit?

Allergy shots can be particularly effective for individuals suffering from seasonal allergies. They also provide relief for those contending with indoor allergens like dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Additionally, they can help mitigate reactions to insect stings.

For people who cannot avoid their allergens—whether due to a deep attachment to a furry friend or a lifestyle that demands outdoor exposure—these shots offer a potential solution. Healthcare providers may still recommend pairing immunotherapy with conventional treatments such as nasal steroids or antihistamines for comprehensive symptom management.

Who Should Avoid Them?

Allergy shots aren’t a one-size-fits-all remedy. Individuals with food allergies, for instance, won’t benefit from them—strict avoidance remains the best strategy in those cases.

While most adults and children can undergo this treatment, those with severe, uncontrolled asthma may need to explore alternative options. Similarly, individuals with heart conditions—such as a recent history of heart attack—face elevated risks from allergy shots, as a severe allergic reaction could become life-threatening.

Pregnant individuals already in the maintenance phase of allergy shots can typically continue their regimen. However, experts strongly advise against initiating treatment or increasing dosage during pregnancy.

Certain medications, such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors, can interfere with epinephrine, the go-to emergency treatment for anaphylactic shock. Those on such medications should discuss their options carefully with a healthcare provider.

How Long Do Allergy Shots Take to Work?

The treatment unfolds in two distinct phases. The "build-up" phase, spanning approximately three to six months, involves receiving shots once or twice weekly. After reaching the "maintenance" phase, injections become less frequent—typically once or twice per month—for several years. Adhering to this schedule is key to achieving optimal results while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.

Although the shots themselves are quick to administer, staying at the allergist’s office for at least 30 minutes post-injection is advised, allowing for immediate intervention in case of a reaction.

Potential Benefits

Undergoing allergy immunotherapy can yield a spectrum of benefits, from symptomatic relief to improvements in related health conditions and even psychological well-being.

Long-Term Symptom Relief

Unlike medications that merely mask symptoms, allergy shots help recalibrate the immune system, fostering a more measured response to allergens. Some individuals eventually experience such significant relief that they can forego allergy medications altogether.

Alleviation of Coexisting Conditions

By mitigating allergic reactions, these shots may also ease the burden of related conditions. For instance, individuals with asthma may notice fewer flare-ups and improved respiratory function. Eczema sufferers whose symptoms are exacerbated by environmental allergens might also see improvements.

Mental and Emotional Well-Being

The toll allergies take isn’t just physical—there’s a psychological aspect, too. Studies suggest that those battling seasonal allergies are more likely to grapple with mood disorders, anxiety, or even eating disorders. Effective treatment, therefore, doesn’t just clear sinuses; it can lift emotional strain, improving overall quality of life.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Despite their benefits, allergy shots aren’t without risks. A thorough discussion with a healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons.

A Long-Term Commitment

Impatience won’t serve you well here. Some individuals begin noticing improvements during the build-up phase, but for most, significant results emerge only after reaching the maintenance phase. Studies suggest that for conditions like hay fever, meaningful relief may take up to three years to surpass placebo-level effects. The full course of treatment typically spans three to five years, with some individuals experiencing long-term relief afterward, while others may require continued therapy.

Possible Adverse Reactions

Introducing allergens into the body, even in controlled doses, comes with inherent risks. Localized swelling and itching at the injection site are common, while systemic reactions—such as sneezing or nasal congestion—can occasionally occur. In rare instances, anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic response, can develop.

This is why remaining under medical supervision after each injection is a standard precaution. Even if you've been receiving shots for years, an unexpected reaction can still arise.

What Can Help Minimize Reactions?

Taking an oral antihistamine before each injection can help curb localized side effects. However, while antihistamines may reduce common reactions, they cannot entirely eliminate the risk of anaphylaxis.

Alternative Options

For those wary of needles or struggling to adhere to an allergy shot schedule, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offers an alternative. This method involves dissolvable tablets placed under the tongue and taken daily.

Currently, FDA-approved sublingual options exist for specific allergens, including:

• Dust mites (Odactra, for ages 18-65)
• Grass pollen (Oralair, for ages 10-65)
• Short ragweed pollen (Ragwitek, for ages 5-65)
• Timothy grass pollen (Grastek, for ages 5-65)

Some allergists also provide liquid sublingual drops for other allergens, though these formulations remain unapproved by the FDA.

A Quick Review

Allergy shots offer a long-term solution for individuals suffering from environmental allergies, gradually desensitizing the immune system to its usual triggers. However, the treatment isn’t suitable for everyone and requires patience, as results can take years to fully materialize. With both benefits and risks in mind, consulting a healthcare provider is the first step toward determining whether allergen immunotherapy is the right path for you.