Tip of the Week – July 20, 2009

Are Allergy Shots Right for You?

If you have severe allergies, you or your allergist might have considered “allergy shots” – officially called allergen immunotherapy. But are all those needles worth it? For some people, the answer is “yes.”

Like a vaccination, immunotherapy allows you to gain “resistance” or immunity to the things to which you’re allergic. That way, your body won’t overreact when you’re exposed to these triggers, or allergens, and your symptoms won’t interfere as much in your daily activities.

However, the therapy might require patience on your part. Allergen immunotherapy is not a one-time injection, but rather a series of shots. It starts when a doctor or allergist injects a tiny amount of the allergen, and then increases the amount of allergen injected each week, depending on how sensitive you are. It can take four to six months of weekly injections to reach the amount that is needed for immunity, which is called the maintenance dose. This dose is given every one or two weeks, eventually spreading out to every three or four weeks, and continuing for three to five years or longer.

The good news? After this process, people are usually less sensitive, so they don’t need as much allergy medication – sometimes even none at all – and can enjoy their daily activities more easily.

Experts suggest that immunotherapy is especially helpful for people with asthma because their attacks are often triggered by allergens.

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