Allergy shots

Allergy shots are a type of immunotherapy treatment. Small doses of substances to which you are allergic (allergens) are injected under your skin. Over time, your body may become less responsive to the allergens. This means that you may have fewer symptoms.

Allergy shots are given after careful skin testing for an allergy. When you start treatment, the shots are given once or twice a week. How often you get the shots gradually decreases.

Allergy shots may be used to help treat asthma if:

• It is clear that you have asthma symptoms when exposed to an unavoidable allergen (allergic asthma).
• Symptoms occur all year long or during a large part of the year.
• It is hard to control symptoms with medicine alone because medicines have not prevented symptoms, you've needed several medicines, or you do not want to take the medicine indefinitely.

At first, a small amount of allergens is used. You get the shots once or twice a week. The amount of allergen is increased slightly each time, unless you have a serious allergic reaction. After 4 to 6 months of weekly shots, the dose will contain an optimal amount of allergen. This is called the maintenance dose.

After reaching maintenance, you get the same dose in shots every 2 to 4 weeks for another 4 to 6 months.

While getting allergy shots, you need to see your doctor to be checked every 6 to 12 months. After 3 to 5 years of getting allergy shots, you and your doctor may need to decide whether to stop allergy immunotherapy or to continue. Many children who are helped by allergy shots stop taking them after 3 to 5 years. But these children often continue to benefit from having received the shots.

Allergy shots for insect stings can reduce your chances of having another severe systemic allergic reaction from 60% to about 5%.

It is not clear exactly how effective the protection against future stings is after the treatment has ended. In about 80 to 90 out of 100 cases, people who were treated will still be protected against systemic reactions even if tests show some remaining immune sensitivity.

• Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you. Smoking makes allergies worse. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• If there is a lot of pollution, pollen, or dust outside, stay inside and keep the windows closed. Use an air conditioner when it's hot outside, and use an air filter in your home.
• If dust or dust mites trigger your asthma, decrease the dust around your bed:
  • Wash sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding in hot water every week.
  • Use dust-proof covers for pillows, duvets, and mattresses. Avoid plastic covers, because they tear easily and do not "breathe." Wash as instructed on the label.
  • Do not use any blankets and pillows that you do not need.
  • Use blankets that you can wash in your washing machine.
  • Consider removing drapes and carpets, which attract and hold dust, from your bedroom.
• If mold triggers your allergies, get rid of furniture, rugs, and drapes that smell musty. Check for mold under sinks and in the bathroom, attic, and basement. Use a dehumidifier to control mold in these areas.
• If pet dander triggers your allergies, keep pets outside or out of your bedroom. Old carpet and cloth furniture can hold a lot of animal dander. You may need to replace them.
• If your allergies are triggered by cold air, wear a scarf around your face, and breathe through your nose.
• Avoid infections such as COVID-19, colds, and the flu. Wash your hands often. Talk to your doctor about getting a pneumococcal vaccine shot. If you have had one before, ask your doctor whether you need another dose. Get a flu vaccine every year. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.