Your healthcare provider can recommend specific allergy shots that may work for you based on testing.
If your symptoms suggest a possible allergy, the next step istesting.
Usually, this throw in of skin testing shows how your skin reacts to potential allergens.
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Through such testing, the provider can see which substances are causing the strongest allergic reactions in your body.
Other people experience chronic (long-term) allergies, like those from animal dander.
Allergy shots are effective in treating both seasonal and nonseasonal allergies.
What Are Allergy Shots?
Based on the findings from your allergy testing, a healthcare provider might recommend you try allergy shots.
Gradually, they increase the concentration of the allergen over time.
Some people receive a shot for just one allergen, but others are allergic to more than one substance.
The healthcare provider can mix up an allergy shot containing both components.
Depending on the combination, you may need to get more than one shot at a single visit.
Where to Get Allergy Shots
You’ll receive your allergy shots at a medical office or clinic.
Allergy Shot Schedule
The schedule for allergy shots varies.
Traditionally, allergy shots are initially given weekly until you work up to your maintenance dose of the allergen.
This usually takes around four to six months.
If this is true for you, talk to your healthcare provider about rush immunotherapy.
You may not need as many visits, and it may be less expensive and more convenient.
And you might get your symptoms relieved more quickly.
Other schedules are somewhere between, taking somewhat less time than the traditional schedule.
Most medical providers giving allergy shots have a standard protocol that they use at their clinic.
Results
Some people start to notice improvement during the initial buildup phase.
However, results vary.
Others dont see significant improvement until a year of maintenance dosing.
After stopping allergy shots, some people never have a return of their allergic reactions.
However, other people do have symptoms that eventually return.
Less commonly, you might notice a later reaction appearing in the next 12 hours.
Mild swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site are common side effects of allergy shots.
Cost
Allergy shots can become costly, even with health insurance.
If you have insurance, talk to your insurance company for exact coverage details before arranging for allergy shots.
You might have a co-pay of $20 to $40 for each visit.
Its important to consider more than allergy shot treatment when considering costs.
Compare the price of allergy shots to the costs of your current therapy, like symptoms for allergic asthma.
It would be best to consider how your symptoms impact your ability to work.
However, newer therapies can be given underneath the tongue and swallowed after they dissolve, called sublingual therapies.
These are other options to think about when weighing cost.
The initial phase of therapy typically requires a weekly shot for four to six months.
After that, you continue to receive less frequent shots for three years or more.
Most side effects from allergy shots are mild, but treatable life-threatening reactions are possible.
Such shots are always given in a clinic.
Costs of allergy shots will vary based on your insurance plan.
However, even with a relatively small co-pay, costs can add up.
You might want to discuss rush immunotherapy with your healthcare provider to save money.
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