What is allergic shots?
Immunotherapy, or “allergy shots”, is recommended for patients with moderate to severe allergy symptoms throughout most of the year, who do not respond effectively to medications, and whose symptoms are triggered by an allergen that is not easily avoided, such as pollens or house dust mites. Immunotherapy involves the injection of allergenic extracts (tiny amounts of allergens) that are given over a stage of 3-5 years. By steadily increasing the quantity of extract, acceptance to the offending allergen will increase, and the patients symptoms will be relieved.
At present, immunotherapy is used to treat patients who are sensitive to inhaled allergens pollens, molds, dander and house dust. Studies have also found immunotherapy to be very effective in many cases of hurtful insect allergy as well. Immunotherapy for food allergies is not suggested because of the chance of a harsh allergic reaction to the injection.