What are the benefits of allergy shots?
Allergy shots are effective in improving symptoms caused by pollens, molds, animals, dust mites, and cockroaches.
Overall, allergy shots are successful in up to 90% of patients with seasonal allergies and in 70%-80% of individuals
with year long allergies. Symptoms do not improve overnight as it takes time for the immune system to change to a
less allergic state. Symptoms gradually improve as the dose of the shots increases. Full results are usually achieved
within about 1 year of starting injections. Because allergy shots interact with the immune system, many people
continue to have benefits many years after they have completed their treatment.
There are not many studies on eczema and allergy shots. The data available demonstrates that allergy shots might
be effective in improving eczema—but only if it is associated with environmental allergies, not food allergies.
Currently, allergy shots are not recommended for the treatment of hives, angioedema, food allergies, or eczema (if
associated with food allergies).
Who can receive allergy shots?
Children who are at least 5 years of age, and adults can receive allergy shots.
Allergy shots are a good treatment option if you have one of the following:
Allergy shots are generally not suitable for individuals with heart problems, taking beta-blocker drugs, or who have
uncontrolled asthma. Individuals considering allergy shots should discuss their particular case with a board certified
allergist.
What are the side effects of allergy shots?
Generally, shots are very safe. Some reactions are possible since they contain particles that your body is allergic
to.
Most common are local reactions. Local reactions are areas of redness and swelling that occurs at the injection site.
They may happen almost immediately after an injection, or a few hours later. They usually go away on their own
within a few hours.
Much less frequently, individuals can develop allergic reactions with allergy shots. Studies show that overall, about
2% of individuals may experience an allergic reaction. The majority of the time, these reactions are mild, with
symptoms such as watery or itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose or ears, post nasal drip, or hives. Very rarely, reactions
can be very severe, with symptoms such as breathing difficulties, swelling in the throat, low blood pressure, or passing
out. Most allergic reactions develop within 30 minutes of an injection. Therefore, Individuals are required to wait in
the allergist's office should a reaction occur. The allergist can then treat the reaction.
updated 4 February 2010
Sources
Nelson HS. Allergen Immunotherapy: Where is it Now? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119:769-77.
Allergen Immunotherapy: A Practice Parameter Second Update. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;120:S25-S85.
Johnstone DE, Dutton A. The value of hyposensitization therapy for bronchial asthma in children - a 14-year study.
Pediatrics 1968; 42:793-802.
Blazowski et al. Anaphylactic shock because of sublingual immunotherapy overdose during third year of maintenance
dose Allergy 2008;63:374.
Cochard et al. Sublingual immunotherapy is not always safe alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy. J Allergy
Clin Immunol 2009;124:378-379.
Anthony Frew Sublingual immunotherapy NEJM 2008;358:2259-2264
Allergy shots are effective in improving symptoms caused by pollens, molds, animals, dust mites, and cockroaches.
Overall, allergy shots are successful in up to 90% of patients with seasonal allergies and in 70%-80% of individuals
with year long allergies. Symptoms do not improve overnight as it takes time for the immune system to change to a
less allergic state. Symptoms gradually improve as the dose of the shots increases. Full results are usually achieved
within about 1 year of starting injections. Because allergy shots interact with the immune system, many people
continue to have benefits many years after they have completed their treatment.
- Allergy shots decrease the chance of new allergies. Studies demonstrated that the chance of developing new
allergies to pollens and other environmental allergens decrease by about 50%. - Allergy shots reduce the risk of developing allergic asthma in individuals with environmental allergies by about
50-70% - In allergic asthma, allergy shots result in a significant reduction in symptoms and medication use. In many, the
asthma can completely go away. For example, a study published in 1968, which looked at children with
asthma, showed that 70% of the children who received allergy shots for 4 years no longer had asthma. In the
placebo group, only 20% of the kids became free of asthma during the study.
There are not many studies on eczema and allergy shots. The data available demonstrates that allergy shots might
be effective in improving eczema—but only if it is associated with environmental allergies, not food allergies.
Currently, allergy shots are not recommended for the treatment of hives, angioedema, food allergies, or eczema (if
associated with food allergies).
Who can receive allergy shots?
Children who are at least 5 years of age, and adults can receive allergy shots.
Allergy shots are a good treatment option if you have one of the following:
- Severe allergy symptoms which significantly affect quality of life, even while taking allergy medications
- Significant side affects from allergy medications
- Have a desire to avoid using medications for the long term
- Frequent ear or sinus infections
- Allergic asthma
Allergy shots are generally not suitable for individuals with heart problems, taking beta-blocker drugs, or who have
uncontrolled asthma. Individuals considering allergy shots should discuss their particular case with a board certified
allergist.
What are the side effects of allergy shots?
Generally, shots are very safe. Some reactions are possible since they contain particles that your body is allergic
to.
Most common are local reactions. Local reactions are areas of redness and swelling that occurs at the injection site.
They may happen almost immediately after an injection, or a few hours later. They usually go away on their own
within a few hours.
Much less frequently, individuals can develop allergic reactions with allergy shots. Studies show that overall, about
2% of individuals may experience an allergic reaction. The majority of the time, these reactions are mild, with
symptoms such as watery or itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose or ears, post nasal drip, or hives. Very rarely, reactions
can be very severe, with symptoms such as breathing difficulties, swelling in the throat, low blood pressure, or passing
out. Most allergic reactions develop within 30 minutes of an injection. Therefore, Individuals are required to wait in
the allergist's office should a reaction occur. The allergist can then treat the reaction.
updated 4 February 2010
Sources
Nelson HS. Allergen Immunotherapy: Where is it Now? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119:769-77.
Allergen Immunotherapy: A Practice Parameter Second Update. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;120:S25-S85.
Johnstone DE, Dutton A. The value of hyposensitization therapy for bronchial asthma in children - a 14-year study.
Pediatrics 1968; 42:793-802.
Blazowski et al. Anaphylactic shock because of sublingual immunotherapy overdose during third year of maintenance
dose Allergy 2008;63:374.
Cochard et al. Sublingual immunotherapy is not always safe alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy. J Allergy
Clin Immunol 2009;124:378-379.
Anthony Frew Sublingual immunotherapy NEJM 2008;358:2259-2264
AllergyExpert.US
Allergy Shots
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The AllergyExpert.US does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Read more on disclaimer and terms of use.
Typically, each allergy shot prescriptions is made up of 4-5
vials. The treatment starts with a very weak concentration
of allergens (the one on the left, with the green top). Over
a 4-6 months period, the dose is gradually increased by
using progressively higher doses from the more
concentrated vials - this is called the buildup phase.
During this phase, shots are typically received once or twice
a week. Once the full dose is reached (from the vial on the
right, with the red colored liquid), the treatment enters the
maintenance phase. In the maintenance phase, patients
typically receive shots every 2-4 weeks. It is
recommended to continue shots for a total of 3-5 years in
order to obtain the best long term benefits.
vials. The treatment starts with a very weak concentration
of allergens (the one on the left, with the green top). Over
a 4-6 months period, the dose is gradually increased by
using progressively higher doses from the more
concentrated vials - this is called the buildup phase.
During this phase, shots are typically received once or twice
a week. Once the full dose is reached (from the vial on the
right, with the red colored liquid), the treatment enters the
maintenance phase. In the maintenance phase, patients
typically receive shots every 2-4 weeks. It is
recommended to continue shots for a total of 3-5 years in
order to obtain the best long term benefits.
What are allergy shots?
The allergy shot, also called allergy injection or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), is a form of treatment aimed at
treating allergies. While allergy medications can be very effective in improving allergy symptoms, they just cover up
the symptoms. The allergy shot was devised as a way to treat allergies by targeting the cause of allergies – the
immune system (which is why allergy shots are also called “immunotherapy”).
Allergy shots are not new – they were first tried almost 100 years ago, in 1911 when 2 London doctors (Leonard
Noon and John Freeman) used a watery extract of boiled pollen to treat an allergic individual. Since then, allergy
shots have been studied extensively and improved.
Allergy shots involve a series of injections given at regular intervals over a 3-5 year period. Initially, the shots
contain minute amounts of allergens, but over time the dose is gradually increased. As the treatment progresses, the
body’s immune system becomes less sensitive to allergens, and symptoms gradually improve.
The allergy shot, also called allergy injection or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), is a form of treatment aimed at
treating allergies. While allergy medications can be very effective in improving allergy symptoms, they just cover up
the symptoms. The allergy shot was devised as a way to treat allergies by targeting the cause of allergies – the
immune system (which is why allergy shots are also called “immunotherapy”).
Allergy shots are not new – they were first tried almost 100 years ago, in 1911 when 2 London doctors (Leonard
Noon and John Freeman) used a watery extract of boiled pollen to treat an allergic individual. Since then, allergy
shots have been studied extensively and improved.
Allergy shots involve a series of injections given at regular intervals over a 3-5 year period. Initially, the shots
contain minute amounts of allergens, but over time the dose is gradually increased. As the treatment progresses, the
body’s immune system becomes less sensitive to allergens, and symptoms gradually improve.
"Long-term follow-up on
immunotherapy studies
demonstrates that allergy shots for
3 years...shows persistent
long-term effects on clinical
symptoms after termination of
treatment and long-term,
preventive effects on later
development of asthma in children
with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. It
is so far the only treatment for
allergic diseases that has been
shown to be able to prevent
worsening of disease and
development of asthma. In this
light, allergy shots should be
recognized not only as first-line
therapeutic treatment for allergic
rhinoconjunctivitis, but also as
secondary preventive treatment for
respiratory allergic diseases"
Lars Jacobsen; Erkka Valovirta How
Strong is the Evidence That
Immunotherapy in Children Prevents
the Progression of Allergy and
Asthma?
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol.
2007;7(6):556-560
immunotherapy studies
demonstrates that allergy shots for
3 years...shows persistent
long-term effects on clinical
symptoms after termination of
treatment and long-term,
preventive effects on later
development of asthma in children
with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. It
is so far the only treatment for
allergic diseases that has been
shown to be able to prevent
worsening of disease and
development of asthma. In this
light, allergy shots should be
recognized not only as first-line
therapeutic treatment for allergic
rhinoconjunctivitis, but also as
secondary preventive treatment for
respiratory allergic diseases"
Lars Jacobsen; Erkka Valovirta How
Strong is the Evidence That
Immunotherapy in Children Prevents
the Progression of Allergy and
Asthma?
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol.
2007;7(6):556-560
Allergy Shots (immunotherapy)
Cat Allergy
Dog Allergy
Dust Mite Allergy
Seasonal Allergies
The Pollen-Food Syndrome
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