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.
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