Allergen immunotherapy involves administering gradually increasing doses of your specific allergens via subcutaneous injection. Over time, this process desensitizes your immune system, reducing IgE-mediated sensitivity and shifting the immune response away from the allergic pathway. The result is fewer symptoms, decreased reliance on allergy medications, and, for many patients, long-term remission of allergic disease even after the injection course is complete.
Who Is a Candidate?
Allergy shots may be appropriate for patients with any of the following:
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) not adequately controlled by medications
- Allergic asthma with identified environmental triggers
- Allergic conjunctivitis impacting quality of life
- Insect venom allergy (bee or wasp sting allergy)
- Desire to reduce long-term dependence on allergy medications
How We Diagnose
Candidacy for allergy shots is determined by your allergy test results, symptom burden, medical history, and lifestyle. Our allergists will discuss whether immunotherapy is appropriate for you and, if so, develop a customized injection schedule and allergen extract formulation based on your specific sensitivities.
What to Expect
A typical immunotherapy program consists of a build-up phase (weekly injections over approximately 6–7 months) and a maintenance phase (monthly injections for 3–5 years). All injections are administered in our office with a brief post-injection observation period to ensure your safety. Each of our four locations offers convenient allergy shot hours.
Ready to Schedule?
Allergy shots can change your life. Talk to the allergists at South Bay Allergy and Asthma Group to find out if you are a candidate for allergen immunotherapy. Call us at (408) 286-1707 or request an appointment online.