Allergy Shots ( IT )

What are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots are injections made from the things you are allergic to.  These injections gradually build up your resistance to your allergies and reduce your symptoms, reduce how much medicine you have to take and, generally, improve the quality of life for allergy and asthma patients. Allergy shots do not completely cure your allergies but make them much, much better.

How often do I have to get a shot?
There are two phases to your allergy shots:

1. Build-up - The “build-up” phase starts with a very weak dose which is then gradually increased to a very strong dose.  There are 28 shots in the build-up.  Usually these shots are given once a week but patients can come in 2-3 times a week for more rapid build-up.  There is also a “Rush” build-up available (see below).
2. Maintenance – Once your shots have reached the highest strength, the shots are then spaced out to once a month.  Monthly shots are continued for 4-5 years in order to provide the best long-term benefit.

When will I start to feel better?
It usually takes about 4-6 months to see a notable improvement in allergy symptoms and can sometimes even take up to a full year.  Allergy shots are not a “quick fix” but provide the best long-term improvement.  Patients usually stay on their regular allergy medications while shots are building but eventually are able to reduce or eliminate them.

If I feel better, why do I need the shots for 5 years?
One of the best parts of allergy shots is that most patients experience a long-term reduction in allergy symptoms.  If shots are taken for about 5 years and then stopped, most patients will still feel better for 5, 10 or even 15 years down the road!  If shots are stopped early, however, there is a greater chance that the original allergy symptoms will return.

Are there any risks to allergy shots?
You are receiving a shot that contains the things you are allergic to!  As a result, there is a risk that you may have a local or generalized allergic reaction to your shot.  Local reactions consist of itching, redness, warmth and tenderness where the shot was given.  These are mildly uncomfortable but not dangerous.
With a generalized or “systemic” reaction, you may have any of the following: watery, itchy nose or eyes; hives, itchy skin, lightheadedness, swelling of the throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps, and low blood pressure.  These reactions are much less common and generally occur within the first 20 minutes after a shot.  It is very important that you adhere to our 20-minute waiting policy after injection and notify the staff right away if you experience any of these symptoms.  These reactions are easier to treat when detected early.  The symptoms can usually be well controlled with medicines given in the Allergy Clinic.  Very rarely the symptoms are more severe requiring a trip to the hospital and extremely rarely could result in death.

Can I receive my shots at home?
Home allergy shots were very common many years ago.  However due to the rare possibility of the life-threatening type of reactions this is no longer considered acceptable by any of the national Allergy organizations that oversee our specialty.  If you live far away, however, your local primary doctor is usually able to administer the shots in their office.

What is Rush Immunotherapy?
Rush is alternate way of performing the build-up phase of allergy injections.  A patient visits our office for a full day and receives repeated injections every 30-60 minutes under close supervision.  We can give the equivalent of 15 doses in 1 day and save several months off the schedule (and multiple co-payments!).  Please note that there is a greater risk of an adverse reaction when shots are given this way but we premedicate the patient for several days ahead of time to improve the safety.