What Are the Benefits of Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots (also known as immunology) are able to decrease sensitivity to allergens over time. This means that receiving allergy shots will help reduce reactivity to allergens such as pets, or hay fever and diminish the experience of nasal congestion and runniness as well as help those with allergy-induced asthma. Immunology has long-lasting effects which means that users will be able to experience relief from their allergens well after the treatment is completed. Over-the-counter allergy medication can add up cost-wise, so opting for allergy shots is also an economical decision as they will end up being cheaper than purchasing antihistamines regularly in the long run. Taking over-the-counter antihistamines daily long term can also cause drowsiness as they build up in your system, so the allergy shots will eliminate the need to take the medication daily and provide relief to any side effects experienced through taking the daily medication. Allergy shots provide freedom to the receivers in that they no longer have to strictly avoid their allergens and can live life more comfortably.

Allergy shots work by helping you develop immunity to specific allergens over time through small doses of that allergen provided regularly allowing your body to become desensitized to the allergen and reducing allergy symptoms. Receiving allergy shots will definitely boost your immunity to that specific allergen, but can also help increase your overall immune system as living with allergies that are not being treated effectively has been shown to worsen your immune system, so they will help bring your immune system back to normal.

Since allergy shots are the administration of tiny doses of your allergen, it is normal to experience your typical allergic reactions right after receiving the shot, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, or hives. Some people will develop some swelling, itchiness, or bruising at the site of injection for up to 3 days after receiving the allergy shot, but these reactions can be minimized by taking an anti-histamine before receiving the shot that day. As with all injections, there are very rare risks. Since you are having a known allergen administered, there is a rare chance that you will have a severe allergic reaction and could go into anaphylactic shock after receiving the shot. Because of this, only medical professionals are able to provide the shot in a facility that has the proper staff and supplies necessary for a medical emergency, and many people will be given a prescription for an Epi-Pen to have on hand while the shot is being administered just in case, though it is very unlikely that it will need to be used.

While it can take up to 6 months of regular shots during the “build-up phase” before the receiver will start to notice the effects of allergy shots, and many people will receive the maintenance shots for 3 to 5 years, the effects of allergy shots commonly last long-term after that, with occasional maintenance shots possibly being needed to help sustain the tolerance. They are intended to be a long-term solution to help diminish the symptoms experienced by allergies and most people will have developed immunity after the maintenance shots are completed. Just how long it takes to get to that point, and how long the patient will go experiencing diminished symptoms is entirely dependent on how their body reacted to the allergy shots and how effective their body was to build immunity to the specific allergen.

Piniella Asthma + Allergy has a trained team of allergy professionals who can provide the care you need for allergies. Contact us for more information or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 9275 SW 152 Street, Suite 210 Palmetto Bay Village, FL 33157. We serve patients from Palmetto Bay FL, South Miami Heights FL, Cutler Bay FL, Three Lakes FL 33186, The Hammocks FL, Pinecrest FL 33156, and Kendall FL.