Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy) are the most common treatment for managing environmental allergies. These shots are administered every week in the office. This process involves gradually increasing exposure to actual allergens using injections. The goal is to change the natural reaction of the immune system and desensitize patients to the allergens. Over time, allergy immunotherapy usually reduces or eliminates the allergic symptoms and the need for ongoing medications. 

Building Up Your Immunity

The “build up phase” of allergy immunotherapy with allergy shots typically takes 6-8 months. Once a maintenance concentration is reached, patients are continued on weekly allergy injections. The typical treatment period is 3-5 years and the frequency of injections may be gradually decreased to once every two weeks or once every month based on your symptoms.

Before proceeding with allergy shots our physicians will review the medications that you are taking. We do not recommend that you that you receive allergy shots if you are taking an oral or topical beta-blocker medication (which may be prescribed for high blood pressure, cardiac conditions, glaucoma, etc) because they may hinder the effectiveness of treating generalized allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to immunotherapy.