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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffAllergy shots are a form of treatment called immunotherapy. Each allergy shot contains a tiny amount of the specific substance or substances that trigger your allergic reactions. These are called allergens. Allergy shots contain just enough allergens to stimulate your immune system — but not enough to cause a full-blown allergic reaction.
Over time, your doctor increases the dose of allergens in each of your allergy shots. This helps get your body used to the allergens (desensitization). Your immune system builds up a tolerance to the allergens, and your allergy symptoms diminish over time.
References
- Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/allergy-shots.aspx. Accessed Dec. 15, 2011.
- Nelson HS. Subcutaneous immunotherapy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;128:907.
- Allergen immunotherapy: A practice parameter third update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;127 (Suppl):S1.
- Hamilton RG. Clinical laboratory assessment of immediate-type hypersensitivity. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010;125(Suppl):S284.
- Eifan AO, et al. Long-term clinical and immunological effects of allergen immunotherapy. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;11:586.
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