When you get an allergy shot, your allergist or doctor injects small doses of substances that you are allergic to (allergens) under your skin. This helps your body "get used to" the allergen, which can reduce or prevent symptoms.
At first, you may need to get allergy shots once a week and then once a month. It may take up to a full year of shots before you see any change in your symptoms.
The allergy shot may cause mild problems, such as soreness, redness, warmth, or swelling on the arm where you got the shot. It may also cause itching, hives, or a rash that spreads to other parts of your body.
Allergy shots are a type of immunotherapy to help treat allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Small doses of substances (allergens) are injected under the skin. This may help your immune system reduce or eliminate sensitivity to the allergen that causes an allergic reaction.
A doctor will do skin or blood tests to find out what the person is allergic to. Allergy shots are available for some allergies to:
Allergy shots are effective in treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. The shots reduce symptoms in those allergic to pollens, animal dander, dust mites, mold, and cockroaches. Experts do not know how long allergy shots work after you stop getting the shots. Some people may not have their allergies return. Others may have allergies return within a few years.
Although you still need to avoid allergens, you may be able to use less medicine or stop using medicines.
Allergy shots are safe if the shots are given correctly. The most common side effects are redness and warmth at the shot site. Some people may have reactions near where they had the shot, such as itching, hives, or swelling of the skin. More serious but less common side effects include symptoms that affect other parts of the body. Examples are hives, itching, and trouble breathing.
In rare cases, a person may have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the shots. Because of this possibility, the shots are given in a doctor's office or other setting where emergency care can be provided if needed. You must report any delayed reaction that you have to a shot. Late reactions can happen anytime within 24 hours after a shot.
Allergy shots may not be right for you if you:
Allergy shots are usually given in a doctor's office. It is normal to stay in the doctor's office for a short time after getting an allergy shot to be watched for possible serious reactions to the injected insect venom.
Redness and warmth at the shot site are common. But they'll go away after a short time.
At first, a small amount of allergens is used. You get the shots once or twice a week. The amount of allergen is gradually increased.
After about 4 to 6 months of weekly shots, you will likely be getting the best amount of allergen in the shot. This is called the maintenance dose. When you reach the maintenance dose, you get the same dose in shots every 2 to 4 weeks for the next 4 to 6 months.
The period between shots is gradually increased to about a month. And the dose usually stays the same each month. After 1 year of maintenance, your allergist will check to see if you have fewer or less severe symptoms. If your allergy symptoms have not changed, you will no longer get the shots. If your symptoms have improved, you may keep getting monthly shots for up to 3 to 5 years.
Allergy shots can reduce your reaction to allergens, which can result in fewer or less severe symptoms. They may also prevent children who have allergic rhinitis from getting asthma. Recommendations on when to get allergy shots vary, but in general you and your doctor may consider them when:
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