Allergy Shot Information

Immunotherapy is a process in which an allergic patient can become desensitized to those pollens and inhalants that trigger allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, and insect reactions. Allergy shots help reduce allergic reactions to common allergens like pollen, animal dander, dust mite & bees & fire ant.

Benefits

• Gradually decreases sensitivity to airborne allergens,

• Reduce symptoms and the need for medications.

• Completing 3–5 years of maintenance shots may lead to long-term improvement, even after stopping

• treatment.

• Shots must be received at the proper intervals. Missing more than 10 days requires dose adjustments-

• contact the office if you miss injections.

• Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, older sibling or legal guardian.

How Long Are Shots Given?

Build-Up Phase

• Injections with increasing amounts of allergens.

• Frequency: 1–2 times per week.

• Duration: 5–6 months, depending on frequency.

Maintenance Phase

• Begins once the effective therapeutic dose is reached.

• Frequency: every 2–4 weeks, individualized for each patient.

• Shorter intervals may reduce reactions and improve benefits.

• Some patients tolerate longer intervals (over 4 weeks).

Possible Side Effects:

• Reactions may occur in the office during the 20‑minute waiting period or at home within 24 hours.

• Local Reactions: Swelling or redness at the injection site.

• Systemic Reactions: Hay fever like symptoms, Hives, Flushing, Asthma flare up, Rarely, Anaphylaxis.

• If systemic reactions occur, return to the office during hours or go directly to the ER.

Risk Factors for Reactions

• Heavy pollen exposure during allergy season

• Exercise soon after an injection

• Poorly controlled asthma

Immunotherapy and Pregnancy

• Allergy shots are usually not started during pregnancy.

• If already receiving immunotherapy, it is safely continued during pregnancy at the current dose.

Important Reminders

• Notify your nurse or physician if asthma symptoms worsen before injections.

• Report any symptoms that occur immediately or within hours of your injection before your next shot.

Medications to Avoid

• Do not take beta blockers while on allergy shots.

• Beta blockers interfere with epinephrine (used in emergencies for treating allergic reactions).

• Inform the office if you are prescribed beta blockers before starting or continuing immunotherapy.