Common Types of Allergy Injections Q&A

At Piniella Asthma + Allergy, we specialize in providing personalized allergy immunotherapy treatments designed to significantly reduce allergic reactions and improve overall quality of life. Allergy injections, also known as allergen immunotherapy, are tailored specifically for each patient based on their unique allergies to substances such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, insect venom, and molds.

There are several types of allergy injections available, each designed to target specific allergens.

• Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT): This is the most common form of allergy injection. SCIT involves administering small doses of allergens under the skin, gradually increasing the dose over time. This helps the immune system build a tolerance to allergens. SCIT is effective for treating a wide range of allergies, including pollen, mold, and dust mites.

• Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Although not technically an injection, SLIT is an alternative treatment involving allergen tablets or drops placed under the tongue. SLIT is primarily used for hay fever and certain insect venom allergies. It’s a convenient option for patients who prefer not to have regular injections.

At Piniella Asthma + Allergy, your health and safety are our top priorities. All immunotherapy treatments are conducted under close medical supervision by our experienced allergy specialists. We carefully consider your allergy profile, severity of symptoms, lifestyle, and any potential risks to recommend the best therapeutic approach. Our goal is to help you achieve lasting relief from allergy symptoms and enhance your overall well-being.

At Piniella Asthma + Allergy, we offer allergy injections—also known as allergy shots or immunotherapy—as an effective, long-term treatment solution for patients suffering from allergy and asthma symptoms. Allergy injections work by gradually retraining your immune system to become less sensitive to specific allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold, which are common triggers of allergic reactions.

During treatment at our practice, small, carefully controlled doses of the allergen are administered through regular injections. The process begins with a “build-up” phase, where injections containing very small amounts of the allergen are given once or twice per week. Gradually, the dose is increased to help your immune system adjust and develop tolerance. Over time, your body becomes accustomed to these allergens, leading to a decrease in IgE antibodies, which cause allergy symptoms, and an increase in protective antibodies (IgG).

As your immune system adapts, you will likely experience reduced allergy and asthma symptoms, including fewer episodes of sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and asthma flare-ups. After reaching your optimal allergen dose, we transition you into a “maintenance” phase, where injections are administered less frequently—typically every few weeks or monthly—to sustain your increased tolerance.

Patients who receive allergy injections often find significant relief from their symptoms, improved quality of life, and reduced dependence on allergy medications. Immunotherapy is especially beneficial for individuals whose allergy and asthma symptoms cannot be fully managed through medications or allergen avoidance alone. Typically, allergy injections are administered over a period of three to five years, and many patients continue to experience lasting symptom relief even after completing treatment.

Our dedicated team at Piniella Asthma + Allergy is committed to providing personalized care and guiding you through every step of your treatment journey, helping you achieve lasting relief and optimal respiratory health.

Allergy injections, also known as allergy immunotherapy, are primarily designed to treat environmental allergies such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Their effectiveness for food allergies is limited and not commonly recommended as a standard treatment. Food allergies involve different immune responses that can cause severe and potentially life-threatening reactions, making treatment more complex.

Currently, allergy injections for food allergies are still under research and are not widely approved for routine use. Some specialized immunotherapy approaches, like oral immunotherapy (OIT), are being developed to help desensitize patients to certain food allergens, but these are different from traditional allergy shots.

If you have food allergies, it is important to consult an allergist or immunologist for a tailored treatment plan that may include avoidance strategies, emergency action plans, and possibly emerging therapies.

At Piniella Asthma + Allergy, we specialize in personalized allergy care, including allergy injections (allergy immunotherapy), designed specifically to address your individual allergy needs. Allergy injections typically involve two distinct phases: the build-up phase and the maintenance phase.

During the build-up phase, we administer injections approximately once or twice per week, gradually increasing the dose of allergens until we reach a therapeutic level tailored specifically to your unique sensitivity and treatment goals. This initial phase typically lasts several months, depending on your individual tolerance and the severity of your allergies.

Once your individualized maintenance dose is achieved, the frequency of injections generally decreases. During the maintenance phase, injections at our practice are customarily given every two to four weeks, with intervals determined based on your specific response, allergy severity, and your allergist’s recommendations. At Piniella Asthma + Allergy, we typically continue this treatment approach for three to five years. Throughout your treatment, we closely monitor your progress, periodically reassessing your condition to determine whether injections should be continued, adjusted, or gradually tapered off.

Adhering closely to your recommended injection schedule is critical to effectively managing your allergy symptoms and achieving lasting relief. If you have questions about your personalized treatment plan or injection schedule, our experienced allergists and care team at Piniella Asthma + Allergy are always available to guide you through each step of your allergy treatment journey. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Coral Gables, FL and Palmetto Bay, FL. We serve patients from Coral Gables FL, Palmetto Bay FL, Westchester FL, Brownsville FL, Kendall FL, Pinecrest FL, Richmond West FL, and Goulds FL.