Allergy immunotherapy is also known as allergy shots. The therapy is aimed at treating various types of allergies. Even though allergy medications are effective in improving allergy symptoms, they do not cure the allergy. Immunotherapy has been developed as a means to treat allergies by targeting the cause and sometimes referred to as immunotherapy for allergies.

Allergen immunotherapy shots are not a new idea; they have been used in medicine for more than 50 years. However, in recent years immunotherapy for allergies has become a refined art and works well.
Allergen immunotherapy involves a series of injections administered at regular intervals over several years. Initially, the injections contain only a small amount of the allergen but as the body develops tolerance, the dose is gradually increased. With time, the body’s immune system becomes desensitized to the allergens and symptoms gradually start to decrease.

In most cases, the treatment is spread over 4-6 months with injections being given 1-2 times a week. Experts recommend that even when tolerance is built to the allergen, shots should be continued for a total of 3-5 years to get the maximum protection. The allergy shots are effective in improving symptoms against pollen, animals, dust, mites, mold and various insects.
Consumers should understand that allergic shots are not one hundred percent effective. Studies indicate that only 50-70 percent of individuals develop successful immunity to seasonal allergies. Moreover, symptom relief is not immediate and may take several years. Despite what allergy physicians claim, the overall benefits of allergic shots are moderate at best. Allergic shots do not work well against food allergens, dermatitis and eczema.
Allergic shots are indicated in children over the age of 5, those who have severe allergy, those who develop significant side effects from medications or those who want to avoid taking expensive medications. Allergy shots should not be used in individuals with heart problems or those who have moderate to severe asthma. For those who have multiple allergies, allergy shots are not recommended. Side effects of allergy shots include redness or swelling on injected area, watery eyes, runny nose, itching, post nasal drip or hives. Most of these side effects are transient and disappear with time.
Today there are also allergy drops available which one may place in the mouth and there is no injection. So far most allergy drops have not been approved by the FDA. Finally, consumers should know that immunotherapy to cure allergies is not a cheap undertaking. Many health insurance plans and Medicare do not always cover the allergy shots.

The injections can cost thousands of dollars with no guarantee that they will work. For safety, it is best to seek an allergic specialist to get your allergy immunotherapy.

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