Seasonal allergies can significantly impact daily life. Various injectable treatments offer relief, ranging from long-term solutions that modify the immune system to targeted therapies for severe conditions. Understanding these options can help individuals manage their symptoms effectively.
Allergy Shots: What They Are
Allergy shots, formally known as allergen immunotherapy (AIT), are a long-term treatment designed to reduce sensitivity to specific allergens. Unlike medications that only mask symptoms, these shots address the underlying cause of allergic reactions. They involve administering small, controlled doses of substances that trigger a person’s allergies. Allergy shots are often considered for environmental allergies, including seasonal allergies caused by pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds.
How Allergy Shots Work
Allergy shots function by gradually exposing the immune system to increasing amounts of specific allergens. When an allergen enters the body, the immune system typically produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which trigger allergic symptoms. Through immunotherapy, the body learns to produce immunoglobulin G (IgG), which blocks the allergen from initiating an allergic response. This shift in antibody production desensitizes the immune system, reducing allergy symptoms over time.
The Allergy Shot Treatment Process
Receiving allergy shots involves two main phases: the build-up phase and the maintenance phase. During the build-up phase, injections with gradually increasing doses of allergens are given regularly, often one to two times per week. This phase usually lasts three to six months, allowing the body to adapt to the allergens. Once the maximum tolerated dose is reached, the patient transitions to the maintenance phase.
In the maintenance phase, injections are administered less frequently, typically once every two to four weeks, with a consistent dose. This phase sustains the immune system’s acquired tolerance and generally continues for three to five years. Patients should remain in the allergist’s office for at least 30 minutes after each shot to monitor for any potential reactions, which are usually mild and include redness or swelling at the injection site. While serious systemic reactions are rare, medical staff are prepared to address them.
Other Injectable Treatments for Allergies
Beyond traditional allergy shots, other injectable treatments, specifically biologic medications, are available for certain allergic conditions. These biologics are distinct from allergy shots because they do not involve exposing the body to allergens to build tolerance. Instead, they target specific pathways within the immune system that contribute to severe or chronic allergic and respiratory diseases. For instance, some monoclonal antibodies work by binding to IgE, preventing it from triggering allergic reactions, or by blocking specific molecules involved in inflammation.
These biologic therapies, such as omalizumab (Xolair) or dupilumab (Dupixent), are typically prescribed for more severe conditions like chronic hives, severe asthma, or chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. They are not used for desensitization to common seasonal allergens in the same way allergy shots are.