5 Common Questions About Allergy Shots, Answered

Allergy shots are a powerful way to address allergies at the immune system level. Other treatments may focus on managing symptoms, but allergy shots aim to reduce your allergic reactions over time.

At Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina, Texas, we help patients identify the source of their allergy symptoms and assess if allergy shots are a good option for them. 

Here are five common questions about allergy shots and ways to tell whether they're right for you. 

5 common questions about allergy shots

Understanding how allergy shots work can help you decide if this long-term treatment may fit your needs. 

1. What are allergy shots? 

It’s helpful to know allergy shots aren’t for every type of allergy. 

Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, offer safe, long-term treatment for some allergies. They’re regular injections that expose your immune system to small, controlled amounts of allergens. 

Allergy shots are most commonly used for environmental allergies, such as: 

• Pollen 
• Pet dander 
• Dust mites 
• Insect stings

Over time, this controlled exposure helps your immune system react less aggressively to these triggers. We don’t usually recommend allergy shots for food allergies, as exposure through injections can be more dangerous when food reactions are involved. 

2. How do allergy shots work?

Identifying the right candidates starts with understanding symptoms, triggers, and other treatments.  

Just as vaccines use your natural immune system to protect you from diseases by introducing a small amount of the disease into your system, allergy shots work in a similar fashion. 

One of our expert team members injects a tiny amount of the allergen into your body, exposing you to it without triggering a severe allergic reaction. Your body adjusts to the allergen over time.

3. Are allergy shots safe? 

For most patients, allergy shots are safe when administered in a medical setting. 

Common side effects are usually mild and may include: 

• Redness or swelling at the injection site
• Temporary sneezing or congestion

It’s rare, but some patients have a serious reaction, so our team monitors you for around 30 minutes after each injection to ensure your safety. 

4. How often do I need allergy shots? 

With each injection, your body builds up a stronger tolerance. Typically, Dr. Fowler delivers one to two injections a week to get you to the maintenance phase, at which point, he might drop it to once a month or less.

How often you need them depends on the type and severity of your allergy, but most patients can expect a commitment of a few months to a year. Most patients also experience benefits long after treatment ends.

5. Who is a good candidate?

Once testing is complete and we review treatment options, we help you to make the right decision for your situation.

You might be a strong candidate if you take allergy medications but still have allergy symptoms. Additionally, allergy shots could be a good option if you want to reduce long-term reliance on antihistamines or steroids. 

Next steps 

If you or a family member struggles with allergies, Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina, Texas, offers allergy testing. We identify your allergy triggers through this testing to determine the best approach, and we discuss your options with you. You can schedule an appointment with us online.