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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffMost people don't have much trouble with allergy shots. But they contain the substances that cause your allergies — so reactions are possible, and can include:
- Local reactions, which can involve redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site. These normal reactions typically clear up within four to eight hours.
- Systemic reactions, which are less common — but potentially more serious. You may develop sneezing, nasal congestion or hives. More-severe reactions may include throat swelling, wheezing or chest tightness.
- Anaphylaxis, a rare life-threatening reaction to allergy shots, can trigger a severe allergic reaction. It can cause low blood pressure and trouble breathing.
If you get weekly or monthly shots on a regular schedule without missing doses, you're less likely to have a serious reaction.
The possibility of a severe reaction is scary — but you won't be on your own. You'll be observed in the doctor's office for up to 30 minutes after each shot, when the most serious reactions usually occur. If you have a severe reaction after you leave, return to your doctor's office or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Nelson HS. Immunotherapy for inhalant allergens. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2008.
- Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatareallergyshots.stm. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Allergen immunotherapy: A practice parameter second update. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/NR/rdonlyres/7F7B241E-57DA-453D-8DFD-DEE371C80AD0/0/AllergenImmunotherapy.pdf. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Hamilton RG, et al. Clinical laboratory assessment of IgE-dependent hypersensitivity. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;111(suppl):S687.
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