Your doctor may recommend allergy shots if you're allergic to insect stings or if you're allergic to something like dust mites or pet dander that gives you symptoms all year. Allergy medications are useful for seasonal allergies, but you may not want to take them continually throughout the year, especially if you take other medications too. The shots could be a long-term solution that reduces your dependence on allergy medication. Here's what to expect if you decide to take the shots.

The First Phase

The first phase, or build-up phase, of treatment requires frequent injections. A treatment plan is created for your individual situation, so you may need to go for shots a few times a week or just weekly. The shots contain allergens, but they are in very small doses at first, to minimize the risk of side effects. Even so, you'll remain in the allergy clinic for about half an hour after a shot to make sure you don't have a bad reaction. The dose in your shot is increased gradually over the weeks to come. The build-up phase could last several months.

The Second Phase

The next phase of treatment is maintenance. This is when you return to the allergy clinic for monthly shots. You may need to do this for as long as five years. The goal of allergy shots is to introduce your body to the allergens that give you symptoms so your body builds immunity to them. This reduces the risk of a life-threatening reaction to a bee sting, and it allows you to make it through pollen and grass seasons symptom free.

Although the maintenance phase is a huge commitment, it's worth it for the benefit of controlling your symptoms. You might notice an improvement in your allergies fairly quickly, once you start allergy shots. The full effect is usually not noticed for a few years, since it takes time for your body to develop immunity.

Shots are most effective when they contain all the allergens that bother you. If you're not treated for a specific allergen, then it will still give you symptoms. Also, food allergies are not usually treated with allergy shots because allergic reactions to foods are often severe and that makes the shots risky. Your allergist tests you for allergens before treatment begins, and a plan for managing your symptoms and taking the shots is developed. Since it may take some time for the shots to take effect, you'll probably need to continue treating your allergies with avoidance and medication while you wait.

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