Reichmuth, one of the expert immunologists at Florida Medical Clinic, says your doctor will work with you to create a schedule best suited for your symptoms. During the buildup phase, allergy injections are given more frequently, typically times a week for months. During maintenance phase, the injections become less frequent usually every 2 to 4 weeks according to the plan you create with your immunologist. Allergy shots are typically covered by most health insurances, though this may vary depending on your specific plan.
Even if your shots are covered by insurance, you still may have to pay a copay for each visit. For some, this cost may be cheaper than the total price of over-the-counter medications and other sick visits related to hay fever symptoms. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, we encourage you to reach out to your insurer. Otherwise, you can discuss costs with your healthcare provider directly. Allergy shots are well-tolerated by most people, and any side effects tend to be minor.
Your doctor will discuss possible side effects to look out for during your visit. Shots are suitable for most patients over the age of five. The most common side effects are typical of any injection, which include redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site.
These may be signs of anaphylaxis, which is a rare but serious side effect. Your doctor will ask you to wait in the clinic for half an hour after getting an injection to monitor you for signs of anaphylaxis. Allergy shots are usually a very effective way of treating chronic allergies.
But the benefit is that the pain of an injection lasts just a moment — while the relief of no more symptoms can last a lifetime. For example, if you experience a lot of symptoms in the spring, you may have a pollen allergy.
Your immunologist will then formulate allergy shots that are made just for you. It varies from patient to patient. Some find relief from symptoms in just a few months during the build-up phase. But because allergens are involved, reactions to the shots themselves are possible.
These can range from swelling and itching at the injection site usually the arm to sneezing and a runny nose, to, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. That's why it's recommended that patients stay at their doctor's office for 30 minutes after each shot so they can be monitored and treated for reactions if they do occur. Allergy shots can be effective for people with hay fever and other seasonal allergies , but they can also work for year-round indoor allergies—like mold , dust mites , and animal dander—and allergies to insect bites or stings.
Unfortunately, they don't seem to work for food allergies. Allergy shots are given in two phases. In the "build-up" phase, you'll need a shot once or twice a week for about three to six months. After that, you'll enter the "maintenance" phase and receive them less often—about once or twice a month, for several years. Sticking to this schedule is important, for the shots' effectiveness and to reduce your chances of having a bad reaction. And while the shots themselves only take a minute, you probably will have to wait those 30 minutes in your doctor's office after each one.
Taking an oral antihistamine like Benadryl or Claritin before each shot can help reduce side effects and reactions. And if that's not enough reason to pop a pill beforehand, some research even suggests that pre-treatment with an antihistamine during the build-up phase of allergy shots can improve the shots' effectiveness too. Allergy shots aren't a quick fix: While some people may start to feel better during the build-up phase of their treatment, most people won't experience noticeable improvement until they've been in the maintenance phase for six to 18 months, says Dr.
In fact, a British study found that it took three full years for allergy shots for hay fever to be more effective than placebo shots.
The maintenance phase for most allergy shots is usually continued for three to five years. Some patients experience long-lasting relief after that, and some may need continued treatment.
For allergy shots, we use the highest quality allergy extracts in recommended doses proven to be clinically effective. Our build-up schedule is shorter so that most patients improve and achieve monthly dosing faster. We also schedule allergy shot visits to minimize wait times and maximize efficiency. We have a high level of clinical success and are constantly striving to improve all aspects of treatment. How much do allergy shots cost? Most insurance plans cover both the cost of vaccine preparation and administration of shots.
This will be dependent on your individual insurance plan. Allergy shots in our office do not involve a specific office visit level co-pay, but there is a smaller charge for administration of the allergy shot. I would recommend contacting your individual insurance plan to determine your benefits.
As a service to our patients, we will contact the insurance company on behalf of the patient to determine any potential out-of-pocket expenses before committing to treatment. How effective are allergy shots? It has been proven in clinical studies to decrease allergy symptoms, medication use, prevent new allergies and asthma in children, and promote lasting-relief of allergy symptoms even after treatment is stopped.
Are allergy shots effective for children? Allergy shots are especially effective in children, because treatment has been proven to help prevent the development of new allergies and asthma. This observation is sometimes referred to as the "atopic march.
Can allergies go away on their own? While it is certainly possible that allergies may improve, most people will continue to have symptoms that remain the same or worsen over time. Individuals with seasonal allergies may often develop year round symptoms, and individuals with year round allergies may also develop seasonal flare-ups. Where can I get allergy shots?
Allergy shots are normally provided by a board certified allergist , such as Dr. Allergy shots must be given under the supervision of a physician in a facility equipped and trained to identify and treat adverse reactions to allergy injections. For this reason, allergy injections are not administered at home. The most common type of reaction is a local reaction. These vary from a dime-sized itchy spot to a large lemon-sized area of swelling. These often do not require specific treatment and improve as allergy shots are continued.
The risk of a serious allergic reaction is rare, but may include serious life-threatening anaphylaxis. Why might your doctor NOT recommend allergy shots? You have another health problem, such as coronary artery disease CAD , that puts you at increased risk for a severe reaction to the shots. Your child with allergies is younger than 5.
You are pregnant. Pregnant women who are already getting allergy shots may keep getting them. But doctors don't recommend starting allergy shots during pregnancy. Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Get allergy shots Don't get allergy shots.
Compare Option 2 Get allergy shots Don't get allergy shots. Get allergy shots Get allergy shots You will have skin tests to see what you are allergic to. You will get a shot once or twice a week that contains a small amount of the allergen. Over 4 to 6 months your doctor will add more allergen to the shot. You will get the same dose in shots every 2 to 4 weeks for the next 4 to 6 months. You may get monthly shots for 3 to 5 years. The shots usually work to relieve allergy symptoms.
You can't be sure how long allergy shots will work after you stop getting them. If you have another health problem, such as coronary artery disease CAD , you are at increased risk for a severe reaction to the shots.
A life-threatening, whole-body reaction anaphylaxis to the shots is possible, but this is rare. Don't get allergy shots Don't get allergy shots You can take medicine to control allergy or asthma symptoms, and you can try to avoid the allergen. You will avoid having shots. You won't have to spend the money on a long series of shots. You won't have to travel to a clinic for regular shots. You may have to deal with symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, and a runny nose.
Allergic rhinitis can lead to problems such as sinus infections, plugged ears or ear infections, and sinusitis. Allergic asthma can increase your risk of lung and airway infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Personal stories about taking allergy shots These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you? Reasons to choose allergy shots Reasons not to choose allergy shots. I believe I can avoid the things I am allergic to.
I want to treat the cause of my allergies, not just the symptoms. I don't mind using medicine to relieve my symptoms. I don't want to spend the time and money on allergy shots. I have tried medicine and can't deal with the side effects. Medicine controls my symptoms without side effects. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Getting allergy shots NOT getting allergy shots.
What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts. Yes That's right. No No, that's not right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts.
Yes No, that's not right. You need to take allergy shots for 3 to 5 years.
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