What is an allergy shot (immunotherapy)?

Many of us have heard of “allergy shots” but I’ve noticed there is some confusion about what they are.  Allergy shots are a series of shots that decrease your body’s overreaction to allergic substances.  They are tailor-made just for you based on your allergies.

How do allergy shots work?

They work by increasing the number of regulatory cells for your allergens in your blood that decrease the hyper-responsiveness of the allergic cells. By repeated, frequent and low level but increasing exposure to your allergies, these regulatory cells that normally hide in your lymph nodes, waiting for your “allergy season” are drawn into your blood in numbers that better control the allergy cells. Your allergy cells are at their posts all the time, and allergy is the default way that the immune system reacts so this is a process.

How often do I need to come for allergy shots and for how long?

There are two phases to the allergy shots, building and maintenance.  The building phase is when the dose is increasing and during the maintenance phase, you get the same, maintenance dose.  Our Allergy societies recommend that you get the maintenance dose for 3-5 years, the longer the better in that your time for “allergy remission” is more likely to last longer.

In terms of the building phase, this is more involved but there are several choices for you.  You can do the traditional, once per week shot.  This takes about 39-42 weeks, depending on how you do.  If you get the shots twice per week with 48 hours between the shot, you can get the building phase done in half the time so approximately 20 weeks.  Each time, we have you wait 30 minutes to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Finally, there is a cluster protocol, designed to be a safe yet speedier way to progress to the maintenance phase.  Once weekly, you get a series of shots and are here about 2.5 hours.  Because we are giving you a lot of allergen, we pre-medicate you and check your breathing ahead of time to keep you as safe and comfortable as possible.  With this method, you get to the maintenance vial in 5 weeks and then a few more shots and you are on the maintenance dose at the maintenance frequency, 1 time per month.

What if I have symptoms between shots?

You can absolutely take all of your allergy medication and then taper it to “as needed” when you are ready.  Also, if you are at the maintenance dose and frequency, coming once per month, we then recommend you come more frequently, when you start feeling that your symptoms are returning.  Usually, patients come more frequently at the beginning of their maintenance and during higher pollen seasons and then back down to once monthly the rest of the year.

Are there side effects?

Although rare, you can have an allergic reaction.  This is why we have you wait 30 minutes.  That being said, you can be allergic to anything, and we prescribe the antidote, an epinephrine autoinjector for you to carry with you on the days you get your shots, just in case. Epinephrine is the antidote to an allergic reaction. More frequently and especially during allergy season, patients can get local reactions, like itching and swelling, at the site of the injections.

Are there long-term side effects?

No there are no long-term side effects.

Do I have to see the Doctor every time?

No.  You would see our Nurse injector or one of her medical assistants.

Do I have to pay a copay every time?

No. This is meant to be a quick Nurse visit.

What if you are not close?

We allow a Physician or Nurse Practitioner to take custody of your shots and care if they also consent to take responsibility for your safety and feel comfortable giving you the shots.

What if my schedule is crazy?

You can walk in anytime during our shot hours, which is from the opening of the clinic to 30 minutes before closing, to give you time to wait.  We have convenient early morning hours once per week and later hours once per week to accommodate our hard-working patients.

What are the benefits of allergy shots?

• Less allergy symptoms–All the headaches, hives, asthma symptoms, hay fever, postnasal drip, runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, itchy, red, runny eyes, wheezing, difficulty sleeping, fatigue—decreased! Can you even imagine what life would be like?
• More focus—well if you are sleeping better! Would you rather sleep or sneeze and cough all night?
• Better sleep—that sounds great! One less thing to wake you up!
• Less asthma (studies have shown that allergy shots can prevent progression to asthma and decrease the severity of asthma as well; allergy shots are the only medication that is known to do this). That would be novel—to breathe normally.
• Less inflammation—you know that is not good for you!
• Decreased allergy medications—antihistamines and all medications can have side effects. Studies have shown that antihistamines increase your risk of mood and memory changes and dementia to start.

Why are you waiting to be comfortable?  If you or your child need help controlling allergies or if you think you need testing or treatment or that you might be a good candidate for allergy shots, Dr. Wendt and her team staff at Relieve Allergy, Asthma & Hives would love to help. Call for testing or treatment today! Call 480-500-1902 or request an appointment at https://relieveallergyaz.com/contact now!  Begin your allergy testing journey with Dr. Wendt at Relieve Allergy in Scottsdale, Arizona—It’s time to take care of yourself!

Learn more about Dr. Wendt and Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives at www.relieveallergyaz.com or connect with us: https://www.facebook.com/RelieveAllergy/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wendt/, https://x.com/RelieveAllergy, https://www.instagram.com/relieve_allergy/ or https://www.youtube.com/@JulieWendt-qx7jm.  Did you know? Dr. Wendt wrote the book on allergies.  Buy it at: https://geni.us/WhatsEatingOurKids

Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives is located near Kierland Commons, 21803 N. Scottsdale Road Ste. 200, and has convenient evening and morning hours to accommodate your schedule. Dr. Wendt is also available for telemedicine appointments as appropriate. Most insurance plans are accepted.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is not meant to substitute for medical care by an Allergist-Immunologist nor is it intended to provide medical advice or imply a Physician-Patient relationship with its readers or their family. It is intended to provide guidance, direction, and moral support from someone experienced in testing and treating allergies. This is also not meant to be a “do-it-yourself” manual or a “how to” overcome your allergies. Some of the issues mentioned, whether allergic or look-a-like, can be dangerous or if left unchecked, deadly. Please develop a relationship with a Physician you trust to help you with diagnosis, advice, questions, and treatment regarding your and your family’s medical conditions.