Allergy shots

Allergy shots are a form of treatment called immunotherapy. Each shot contains a tiny amount of the substances that trigger allergic reactions (allergens). Your health care provider will choose just enough of each allergen to stimulate your immune system ? but not enough to cause a full-blown allergic reaction. Over time, the dose of the allergy-causing substances will be increased. This helps your immune system to build up a tolerance to the allergens, so your body becomes less sensitive and symptoms gradually diminish.

How many allergy shots does a person require and how frequently?
The number of shots required and their frequency vary among individuals. There are two phases of treatment- the buildup phase and the maintenance phase.

Buildup phase - The build-up phase may last from 3 to 7 months with gradually increasing doses of allergens administered one to three times weekly. This is the de-sensitizing phase.

Maintenance phase - The maintenance phase may last from 3 to 5 years or longer. The purpose of this phase is to maintain the benefits experienced during the build up phase. Injections, at the dosage found to be effective during the build up phase are given once monthly for several years.

How quickly does the treatment work?
Improvement with allergy shots is a gradual process, taking one to three years. The greatest degree of improvement is generally experienced in the second year.

How long is the treatment effective?
For some individuals, treatment can be stopped after three years and the benefits last for a lifetime. In other individuals treatment may need to be continued for five years or longer before stopping. In some cases people require maintenance treatment for a lifetime.

What types of allergens are found in allergy shots?
Before starting allergy shots, your health care provider will perform a skin 'scratch test' to see what you are allergic to. A small amount of each suspected allergen is scratched into your skin and the area is then watched for about 20 minutes. The degree of swelling and redness at the site of the scratch will determine your sensitivity to the allergen. A list of allergens to which you were sensitive is then sent to a supplier and a product is made that is specific to your needs.

• pollens released by trees, grass, flowers or weeds
• dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander-cat, dog, horse
• insect allergens from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets

• If you are pregnant and have not had allergy shots before you should not begin allergy shots during your pregnancy. However, if you have already been on allergy shots and become pregnant it is okay to continue your allergy shot treatments while pregnant.
• Allergy shots do not work for food allergies.
• Allergy shots do not work for chronic hives.
• Allergy shots are not recommended for people with severe uncontrolled asthma, certain heart or lung problems, or in people taking a beta blocker for heart problems.