Allergy Shots Treatment

Allergy Shots Services

If you struggle with persistent environmental allergies and find that medications only offer temporary relief, allergy shots may provide a long-term solution. Also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), allergy shots work by gradually training your immune system to become less sensitive to allergens over time.

At Schweiger Dermatology & Allergy, our allergy specialists develop personalized allergy shot treatment plans based on your triggers, symptoms, and overall health. For many patients, allergy shots significantly reduce symptoms, lower medication dependence, and improve quality of life year after year.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to substances that are normally harmless. These allergens can be found both indoors and outdoors and may trigger symptoms throughout the year or seasonally.

Common environmental allergy triggers include:

  • Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds
  • Dust mites
  • Mold spores
  • Pet dander
  • Smoke and air pollutants

Although allergy symptoms may resemble a cold, allergies are not caused by viruses and do not resolve on their own. Ongoing exposure to allergens can lead to chronic symptoms that interfere with daily activities, sleep, work, and overall well-being.

Common Allergy Symptoms

  • Sneezing
  • Nasal congestion or runny nose
  • Postnasal drip
  • Coughing
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Skin rashes or hives
  • Shortness of breath or asthma flare-ups

While antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays can help control symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause of allergies. For patients seeking lasting relief, allergen immunotherapy may be recommended.

What Are Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots are a proven form of immunotherapy designed to reduce your immune system’s reaction to allergens. Each injection contains a small, carefully measured amount of the allergen that triggers your symptoms.

Over time, repeated exposure in controlled doses helps your immune system build tolerance. As tolerance increases, allergy symptoms become less frequent and less severe even after treatment ends.

Allergy shots are commonly used to treat:

  • Seasonal allergies (pollen, grasses, weeds)
  • Year-round environmental allergies
  • Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
  • Allergy-related asthma symptoms

How Allergy Shots Work

Allergy shots work by gradually retraining the immune system. When allergens are introduced in increasing doses, the immune response shifts from overreacting to becoming more balanced and tolerant.

Unlike allergy medications that provide short-term symptom relief, allergy shots aim to create long-term improvement by addressing the root cause of allergic disease.

Phases of Allergy Shot Treatment

Allergy shot therapy follows a structured process to ensure both safety and effectiveness.

Build-Up Phase

The build-up phase is the initial stage of treatment and typically lasts six to twelve months. During this time, patients receive allergy shots one to three times per week. The allergen dose is gradually increased as the immune system adjusts.

This phase helps establish tolerance while minimizing the risk of side effects.

Maintenance Phase

Once the effective dose is reached, patients move into a maintenance phase, receiving injections less frequently typically every four to six weeks.

The maintenance phase typically lasts three to five years and is when most patients experience the greatest improvement in symptoms. Many people notice meaningful relief within the first year of maintenance therapy.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots may be a good option for patients who:

  • Have moderate to severe environmental allergies
  • Do not get adequate relief from medications
  • Cannot avoid allergy triggers
  • Experience medication side effects or interactions
  • Have allergy-related asthma symptoms

Allergy shots may not be recommended for individuals with:

  • Severe or uncontrolled asthma
  • Certain heart conditions
  • Pregnancy

Your allergy specialist will evaluate your medical history, allergy testing results, and symptom severity to determine if allergy shots are appropriate.

How Effective Are Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots are highly effective for many patients. Studies show that approximately 80–90% of individuals who complete allergy shot therapy experience long-term symptom relief and reduced reliance on allergy medications.

In children, allergy shots may also help prevent the progression of allergic rhinitis into asthma and reduce the development of new allergies over time.

Safety and Side Effects

Allergy shots are generally safe when administered by trained allergy specialists. The most common side effects are mild and may include:

  • Redness or swelling at the injection site
  • Mild itching or discomfort

Rarely, more serious allergic reactions can occur. For this reason, patients are monitored in the office for about 30 minutes after each injection to ensure safety.

Long-term side effects are uncommon, and many patients continue to benefit from allergy shots years after completing treatment.

Allergy Shots at Schweiger Dermatology & Allergy

At Schweiger Dermatology & Allergy, we provide comprehensive allergy care, including testing, diagnosis, allergen immunotherapy, and long-term management. Our experienced allergy specialists work closely with each patient to design a treatment plan that fits their needs and lifestyle.

If medications and avoidance strategies haven’t provided enough relief, allergy shots may be the next step. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about whether allergen immunotherapy is right for you. Call us now 844-DERM-DOC.

Allergy Shots FAQs

Do allergy shots really work?

Yes. Allergy shots are an evidence-based treatment that can significantly reduce allergy symptoms and improve quality of life over time.

How long do allergy shots take to work?

Some patients notice improvement within the first year, with continued benefits developing over the course of treatment.

Can allergy shots treat food allergies?

Allergy shots are currently used for environmental allergies. Food allergies are managed through avoidance or oral immunotherapy under specialist supervision.

Can allergy shots help with pet allergies?

Yes. Allergy shots can reduce pet allergy symptoms in many patients, even when avoiding exposure is difficult.

Are allergy shots safe for children?

Allergy shots may be recommended for children over the age of five, depending on their allergy severity and ability to follow a consistent treatment schedule.

FAQs

  • Can allergy shots treat food allergies?

    Currently, allergy shots are only effective for environmental allergies. For food allergies, avoidance is the preferred treatment However, there are oral immunotherapy options available for food allergens like milk, eggs, peanut butter and more. If you or your child have food allergies, it’s important to talk with an allergy specialist to determine if oral immunotherapy is right for you.

  • Can allergy shots help if I’m allergic to my pet?

    Yes. Allergy shots can help eliminate the symptoms of pet allergies in up to 80% of patients who take a full course of treatment.

  • How long will I have to be on allergy treatment?

    The duration of allergy shot treatments varies from person to person, depending on how they tolerate the shots and how well their bodies respond. Most people can stop treatment after three years, although a recurrence is possible.

  • Are allergy shots safe?

    Allergy shots are generally very safe when administered by an allergy specialist in a controlled environment. However, there is a small risk of having a reaction to the allergen, which is typically mild, such as local bumps or itching. After receiving an allergy shot, we ask patients to stay in the office for 30 minutes to monitor for any rare, serious reactions.

  • Are allergy shots good for children?

    If your child is over five years old and has allergies, they may be a good candidate for allergy shots. Allergy shots are not recommended for children under five because it may be challenging to comply with the consistent treatment schedule, they may experience anxiety over a fear of needles and they can have difficulty expressing themselves if they are having a reaction.

About Schweiger Dermatology Group

At Schweiger Dermatology Group, we believe no one should wait to feel confident in their own skin. That's why we're committed to delivering The Ultimate Patient Experience—expert care that's fast, compassionate, and seamless. Founded by Dr. Eric Schweiger in 2010 to eliminate long wait times for high quality dermatologists, we've grown into the nation's leading dermatology practice, with hundreds of locations across the country and millions of satisfied patients. We offer medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology, as well as allergy services—in modern, state-of-the-art offices. Most new patients are seen within days, and we accept most insurances and handle billing for you. Whether it's a skin concern or a cosmetic goal, we make it easy to get the care you need—without the wait.