Allergy Immunotherapy
Medicine treats allergy symptoms as they happen, but it doesn’t change how your body reacts to triggers. Immunotherapy gradually builds up tolerance to the substances that trigger your allergies, including pollen, dust mites, mold, and animal dander. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates (SWAAA) offers this treatment for both children and adults once testing identifies your relevant triggers.
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When Is Allergy Immunotherapy ("Allergy Shots") Recommended?
Allergy immunotherapy, commone known as “allergy shots” is an effective option when environmental allergies cause bothersome symptoms despite avoidance measures and medications—or when you would prefer a longer-term treatment for allergy symptoms.
Allergy shots are commonly used for patients with allergic rhinitis (nose allergies), chronic allergic sinusitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic hives, allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies), allergic bronchitis, and allergic asthma triggered by allergens such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, and molds.
These types of injections are NOT the same as steroid shots, which are often mistaken for allergy shots. While they can cause short term symptom improvement, steroid shots have numerous adverse side effects, including increased risk for weight gain, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, strokes, hyperpigmentation, infections, andb bone density loss. True allergy immunotherapy shots have none of these known side effects.
You may be a good candidate for allergy immunotherapy if:
- Your allergy testing reveals significant allergens.
- Symptoms interfere with sleep, work, school, exercise, or everyday activities.
- You are requiring repeated courses of steroids for symptom control (ie, Prednisone, Dexamethasone, Medrol Dose-paks)
- Allergy medications do not provide enough relief or cause unwanted side effects.
- You want to reduce your long-term dependence on allergy medications.
- Avoiding your allergy triggers is difficult or impractical.
How Allergy Immunotherapy Works
Unlike medications that temporarily control allergy symptoms, allergy immunotherapy is a disease-modifying treatment aimed at changing how your immune system responds to the allergens that trigger your symptoms.
As opposed to traditional allergy treatments with antihistamine allergy pills, nasal sprays, eye-drops, steroids, or even newer expensive biologic treatments, allergy shots remain the only proven treatment method that can induce lasting curative retraining of the immune system to significantly improve allergy symptoms long term.
By repeatedly exposing the immune system to carefully measured amounts of relevant allergens, immunotherapy can gradually reduce allergic sensitivity.
For most patients, this will lead to reduction in symptoms, reduced reliance on allergy medications, and improvement that persists after treatment has been completed. Individual results vary.
Thus, it is critical for allergy shots to be effective that dosing be individualized and titrated for each patient. Every person’s immune system responds differently, so allergen extract doses must be adjusted to reach a therapeutic level that is effective and well tolerated. Unfortunately, this important step can be missed in some clinics, which may prevent patients from reaching a dose capable of producing the full long-term benefit of treatment.
Identifying Your Allergens
Effective immunotherapy starts with an accurate diagnosis. We review your symptoms, exposures, and medical history and perform allergy testing when appropriate.
Your treatment is based on allergens that are clinically relevant to you—not simply every positive test result.
Gradual Allergen Exposure
With allergy shots, small amounts of extracted allergen proteins are given by injection and gradually increased until you reach an effective maintenance dose.
This controlled, step-by-step approach allows your immune system to develop greater tolerance over time.
Long-Term Improvement
Immunotherapy is designed to change the underlying allergic response rather than simply provide temporary symptom relief.
For patients who respond well, the benefits include fewer or milder allergy symptoms, less reliance on medications, and improvement that continue after immunotherapy is discontinued.
Have Questions About Allergy Immunotherapy?
Our allergists can help determine whether allergy shots or another treatment option makes sense for you.
Any Questions About Allergy Immunotherapy?
Our Allergy Immunotherapy Process
Allergy Evaluation
We start by learning when and where your symptoms occur, which treatments you have already tried, and which exposures seem to make symptoms worse.
Allergy Testing
Skin or blood testing can help identify allergic sensitivities. Our allergists interpret those results together with your symptoms and exposure history.
A Personalized Treatment Plan
If immunotherapy is appropriate, we develop a treatment plan based on your specific allergies, medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals.
Allergy Shots
Allergy shots contain carefully selected allergens based on your individual evaluation. Treatment begins with small doses that are gradually increased during the build-up phase.
Once the maintenance dose is reached, injections are typically given less frequently.
For safety, patients are observed in the office for at least 20 minutes after allergy injections.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
For some patients, immunotherapy can be given under the tongue rather than by injection. This can be done at home and provides a more convenient alternative immunotherapy option. Our allergists can discuss whether sublingual treatment is appropriate for your allergies.
Monitoring Your Progress
We follow your symptoms, medication use, and response throughout treatment and adjust your immunotherapy when appropriate.
What Allergies Can Allergy Shots Treat?
Allergy shots can be effective for a number of common environmental allergens.
Pollen Allergies
Immunotherapy is well established for allergies to many tree, grass, and weed pollens and can significantly reduce seasonal allergy symptoms for appropriate patients.
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mite allergy can cause year-round nasal, eye, and asthma symptoms. Immunotherapy can reduce sensitivity in patients whose symptoms and testing confirm clinically significant dust mite allergy.
Pet Allergies
For patients who cannot completely avoid an animal they are allergic to, immunotherapy may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan. Cat allergy is one common example.
Mold Allergies
Immunotherapy may be appropriate for certain clinically significant mold allergies. Your allergist will determine whether your particular mold sensitivity is suitable for treatment.
What to Expect During Allergy Shot Treatment
Build-Up Phase
Treatment begins with gradually increasing doses, usually given at regular intervals. The goal is to safely reach an effective maintenance dose.
Maintenance Phase
Once you reach maintenance, injections are generally spaced farther apart while your immune system continues to develop tolerance.
How Long Does Allergy Immunotherapy Take?
Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment rather than a quick fix. Improvement often develops gradually over the first several months of treatment.
For patients who respond well, allergy shots are commonly continued for approximately two to five years or more to provide the greatest opportunity for lasting benefit.
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How Much Does Allergy Immunotherapy Cost?
The cost of allergy immunotherapy varies, depending on insurance coverage, deductible and copay, the allergens included in your treatment, and how frequently you receive injections.
Costs include the preparation of your customized allergy extract as well as the administration of allergy injections during the build-up and maintenance phases.
Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by individual plan, so we recommend confirming your specific benefits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients complete a build-up phase of about 3 to 6 months, followed by ongoing maintenance treatment. The full course typically runs 3 to 5 years from start to finish. Our doctors can walk you through what to expect based on your goals.
Allergy shots are generally safe when given under medical supervision, though as with any treatment, there’s some risk of a reaction. That’s why every shot is followed by a monitoring period as part of our standard safety routine. We’ll walk you through your personal risk based on your health history.
Yes, allergy shots can work well for some kids, depending on their age and health. We check each child carefully on their own before we suggest any treatment plan.
Why Choose Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates?
Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates has cared for Houston-area children and adults with allergy and asthma for more than 40 years.
Our board-certified allergy specialists and treatment team are highly trained to create individualized immunotherapy programs based on each patient’s symptoms, exposures, allergy testing, and medical history.
With multiple convenient locations throughout the Houston area, patients can receive ongoing allergy treatment close to home or work.
If allergies are interfering with your daily life—or you are tired of relying on medications alone—schedule an evaluation to find out whether allergy immunotherapy may be right for you.
