Depending on your degree of allergies, allergen avoidance steps and medications by themselves may not be entirely effective in managing your symptoms. It is possible, therefore, to identify and treat the underlying condition instead of simply treating the symptoms with medications.

Allergy injections (also known as immunotherapy or desensitization) currently are the only and most effective form of treating the underlying mechanisms that cause allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis or hayfever, allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergies to stinging insects.

After your doctor has identified the allergies you have through allergy testing, an allergy vaccine is prepared which contains small amounts of the specific allergens. The vaccine is individualized and will contain only the things you are sensitive to. The vaccine may contain pollens, mold spores, house dust mites, and in some cases, animal allergens. With time, allergy symptoms do improve. Good improvement is seen in 80% of people receiving injections, although it often takes 6–12 months before a noticeable decrease in symptoms will occur. Over the next several years, improvement continues and allergy injections are eventually stopped.

Are Allergy Injections Right for Me?

Allergy injections are indicated for those people who have significant allergic conditions correlating with positive allergy tests. They are also indicated for those individuals with severe reactions to stinging insects. Generally, these are patients who cannot avoid their allergens, are poorly controlled with or intolerant to medications, have chronic infections or co-existing asthma, or simply have a desire to reduce the need for long-term medications.

Getting Shots

Those individuals afraid of needles should not worry — the injections are much less painful than the deep intramuscular shots received with routine immunizations. The shots are given with a very fine tipped needle subcutaneously, just below the surface of the skin, to minimize discomfort. Children usually handle the injections very well after their initial fear of the first shot. Often after discovering the injections are helping, children do not mind and it becomes routine.

Typically, the injections are given on a weekly basis for 1 to 1½ years, and then decreased to every two weeks, three weeks, and finally once a month for a total of five years — although some people do require them for longer periods of time. The allergy injections make your symptoms much more manageable with less medication. Improvement is usually maintained for years after discontinuing the injections.

Side effects of the injections include local reactions or some redness at the site of the shot, which is the most common reaction. Approximately 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 times, a systemic reaction may occur with symptoms such as trouble breathing or hives. For this reason, we require the injections to be given in a medical facility under supervision of a doctor. You should always notify the staff if you are pregnant or if beta blockers are prescribed.

Important Points to Remember

Never take an allergy injection if you are wheezing, having an attack of asthma, fever, or are seriously ill.
Always report any reaction you have had before you get your next shot — whether it happens right after taking your shot or later in the evening.

Getting Your Shots: What You Need to Know

Are allergy shots dangerous?

Generally speaking, allergy shots are quite safe. Sometimes they can cause reactions because they contain the very things to which you are allergic. A reaction can happen right after you get your shot, or it can occur later in the evening. If a serious reaction is going to take place, it will usually happen soon after you have taken your shot. This is why we ask that you wait in the office for 30 minutes after each shot.
How long will it take?

You should allow about 40 minutes for each shot. This will give you 20 minutes to wait in the office, plus some extra time in case the office is crowded and you have to wait before your shot.
What usually happens?

A normal local reaction is common and is no cause for alarm. "Local" means it occurs around the site of the shot — this includes redness and itching, much like a mosquito bite, which lasts no longer than 24 hours.
What can happen?

There are two types of reactions to allergy shots to be aware of: local reactions and systemic reactions. A local reaction happens just around the area where the shot was given. A systemic reaction can happen in several different areas of your body.

Local Reactions

The local reaction described here is different from a normal local reaction. Your arm may get red, itch, or you may have a welt or swelling larger than a quarter, and there may be some pain. If you notice any of these symptoms within the first 20 minutes, report at once to the nurse or doctor — these symptoms can usually be relieved quickly. If they occur at home, you may want to take an antihistamine and apply ice to the area.

If you ever have a lot of itching or pain, swelling larger than a quarter that lasts longer than 24 hours, or an arm that feels feverish to the touch, be sure to report it to the nurse before your next shot. Your dose may need to be lowered.

Systemic Reactions

This type of reaction is rare, but you should know about it in case it does happen. As long as you are getting shots made of something you are allergic to, there is a chance you could have a systemic or even life-threatening reaction. If something severe is going to happen, it will usually occur right after taking your shot — this is why it is so important that you wait in the office for at least 30 minutes after each shot. We are prepared for this type of emergency.

Signs of a systemic reaction include: itching of the throat, nose, eyes, palms, or skin; hives; sneezing; runny nose; coughing; and wheezing. If you notice any of these within the first 30 minutes, report to the doctor or nurse at once. If they occur on the way home, take an antihistamine and/or anti-wheezing medication at once and return to the clinic. If this is after office hours, go to the nearest emergency room and call us.

If you have any questions, contact our office: Omaha: 402-391-1800 Lincoln: 402-464-5969