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Allergy shots (immunotherapy) for allergic rhinitis

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) for allergic rhinitis
When you get allergy shots (immunotherapy), your allergist or doctor injects small doses of substances that you are allergic to (allergens) under your skin. This helps your body "get used to" the allergen, which can result in fewer or less severe symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Your allergist will use an extract of grass, weed, or tree pollen; dust mites; molds; or animal dander for allergy shots. You must first have skin testing to find out which allergen you are allergic to.

Your allergist injects under your skin a solution of salt water (saline) that contains a very small amount of the allergen(s). At first, you get the shot once or twice a week. You gradually receive more of the allergen in the shots.

After about 4 to 6 months of weekly shots, you are usually getting the best amount of allergen in the shot. This is called the maintenance dose. When you reach the maintenance dose, you get the same dose in shots every 2 to 4 weeks for the next 4 to 6 months.

The period between shots is gradually increased to about a month. And the dose usually stays the same each month. After 1 year of maintenance, your allergist will check to see if you have fewer or less severe symptoms. If your allergy symptoms have not changed, you will no longer get the shots. If your symptoms have improved, you may continue to get monthly shots for up to 3 to 5 years.1

Other ways to get this treatment are called cluster or rush immunotherapy, in which you reach the maintenance dose more quickly.
What To Expect After Treatment

You receive allergy shots in your allergist's office. You will stay in the office for 20 to 30 minutes after you get the shots, in case you have a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) to the injected allergens.

Redness and warmth at the shot site are common, but they go away after a short period of time.
Why It Is Done

Allergy shots can reduce your reaction to allergens, which can result in fewer or less severe symptoms. They may also prevent children who have allergic rhinitis from getting asthma.2 Although recommendations on when to get allergy shots vary, in general you and your doctor may consider them when:

    * Allergy symptoms are severe enough that the benefit from the shots outweighs the expense and the time spent getting the shots.
    * You are allergic to only a few substances, and they are hard to avoid.
    * Avoiding allergens and using medicine do not control symptoms, or you have to take medicine all the time to control symptoms.
    * Side effects of medicines are a problem.
    * You want a treatment for the cause of your allergy, rather than treatment for just the symptoms.
    * You have another condition that is being affected by allergic rhinitis, such as asthma.
    * You want to lower the chance that you will develop asthma.

How Well It Works

Allergy shots are effective in treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.2 The shots reduce symptoms in those allergic to pollens, animal dander, dust mites, mold, and cockroaches.2 Experts do not know how long allergy shots are effective after you stop getting the shots. For allergies to some grasses, shots have been effective for 3 to 4 years.2

Allergy shots have resulted in symptoms of:2

    * Dust mite allergies being about 3 times better than before treatment.
    * Pollen, mold, or animal dander allergies being about 4 times better than before treatment.

Although you still need to avoid allergens, you may be able to use less medicine or stop using medicines.
Risks

Allergy shots are safe if given correctly. Redness and warmth at the shot site are common. Overall body reactions, such as hives, asthma symptoms, and low blood pressure, are not common. Because of the possibility of a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis), you get the shots where emergency care is available.

If you or your child has another condition, such as asthma, you may be more likely to have a severe reaction to the shots. You should have your asthma well controlled before you get allergy shots.
 

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