Allergy Shots in GA

Allergen Immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy is a long-term treatment option for people with moderate to severe allergies. Unlike traditional allergy medications that only provide temporary relief, immunotherapy changes how your body reacts to allergens. Immunotherapy reduces the severity of allergic reactions, decreases the frequency of allergy symptoms and can greatly improve your quality of life.

What Is Immunotherapy For Allergies?

Allergen immunotherapy is a treatment that reduces your sensitivity to specific allergens by gradually exposing your immune system to small amounts of the substances that trigger your allergic reactions. Over time, this exposure helps your body build tolerance. This leads to fewer and less severe allergic symptoms.

Allergen immunotherapy can treat different kinds of allergies, including those caused by:

• Pollen (trees, grasses, and weeds)
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold spores

Allergen immunotherapy is a good option for people who have allergies that significantly impact their quality of life, do not respond well to conventional allergy treatment, experience side effects from allergy medications or wish to reduce their long-term reliance on allergy medications.

How Does Allergen Immunotherapy Work?

Allergy immunotherapy typically involves the following steps:

1. Allergen diagnosis: Your allergist will perform tests to determine which specific allergens trigger your symptoms.
2. Treatment plan: Based on your test results, a personalized immunotherapy plan is created using extracts of the identified allergens.
3. Build-up phase: You receive small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen extracts at regular intervals, usually over several months.
4. Maintenance phase: Once you reach the target dose, you continue receiving this amount at longer intervals, typically for 3-5 years.
5. Monitoring and adjustments: Your allergist will regularly assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

There are two main methods of administering allergy immunotherapy: sublingual immunotherapy (oral immunotherapy) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots).

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (Immunotherapy Allergy Shots)

Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy or SCIT) involves injecting small amounts of allergen extracts just under the skin. This method has been used for decades and is considered highly effective.

Allergen extracts are injected into the upper arm by a healthcare professional. Shots are typically given weekly during the build-up phase, then every 2-4 weeks during maintenance.

While the course of treatment may take three to five years, the results should last a lifetime.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (Oral Immunotherapy)

Sublingual immunotherapy utilizes drops or tablets that are placed under the tongue. Like allergy shots, the dosage increases as treatment progresses to desensitize the immune system to an allergen. This method is a safe and effective alternative for pediatric patients or those who cannot tolerate injections.

The doses are typically taken daily at home after an initial dose administered in the doctor's office. You administer the dose by placing the allergen extract under your tongue for 1-2 minutes before swallowing. Most patients begin to notice benefits from treatment within 9-12 months. The total treatment time to achieve maximal benefit is typically three years.

Does Allergen Immunotherapy Work?

Allergen immunotherapy is highly effective. Most patients experience a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of their allergic reactions. It may not completely eliminate all allergy symptoms for everyone, but it greatly improves them.

Allergen Immunotherapy in Metro Atlanta

Ready to take control of your allergies? Schedule a consultation with Northwest ENT in Metro Atlanta today to explore your allergen immunotherapy options. With personalized treatment plans and expert care, you can look forward to a future with fewer allergy symptoms and improved quality of life.