Allergies affect everyone differently. However, they can be more severe in some people more than others. In fact, when not treated, allergies may make life absolutely miserable.

Thankfully, there are ways to significantly reduce the effects of allergies with allergy injections. Allergy injections are a form of immunotherapy, which is designed to alter the way your body responds to allergies.

Here’s what to expect with allergy injections.

What Does an Allergy Injection Do?

An allergy injection is supposed to suppress the symptoms of allergies. These injections contain a minuscule amount of the substance a person is allergic to. These substances are known as allergens.

Being injected with something you are allergic to sounds risky, however, the amount of the allergen that is injected is so small it does not cause an allergic reaction. It helps your immune system get used to it, so the reaction is not as severe when exposed to the allergen.

Allergy injections are usually administered at least every week for at least three years. In some cases, patients can be on them for up to five years. With each shot administered, your doctor will gradually increase the allergen, which desensitizes your body in a safe way.

Who is Eligible For Allergy Injections?

Anyone suffering from indoor allergies, outdoor allergies or seasonal allergies are suitable candidates.

Other factors that can make someone a candidate for immunotherapy include:

• Being unable to avoid specific allergens
• Taking less-than-efficient allergy medication
• Having the desire to alleviate severe symptoms
• Cutting back on using allergy medication
• Understanding this is not a cure for allergies

What are the Risks of Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy for allergies has been proven to reduce allergic-like symptoms. However, as with any type of medical treatment, it might not be suitable for everyone. While in most people do not experience any complications, there is still a slight risk.

It’s normal to see swelling or redness after an injection, but this usually clears up in a matter of hours. However, if the redness or swelling progress or linger for an extended period of time, it could indicate a problem and your allergy injections can be adjusted for safety.

Another risk of receiving allergy injections is  anaphylaxis. This is an incredibly rare but dangerous medical condition  that can  lower a person’s blood pressure and makes it hard to breathe. When someone experiences this after an injection, it is because their body is going into anaphylactic shock. Again, the chances of this happening are slim. All patients undergoing allergy treatment are prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector for their safety.

Immunotherapy for allergies can provides long-term relief for allergies sufferers. And while immunotherapy can be an effective treatment, it is not a cure.

Schedule an Appointment

Call us at 303-744-1961 to schedule a consultation with one of our ENT physicians.  They then can determine if allergy testing and treatment is right for you