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By Mayo Clinic staffAllergy shots may be a good treatment choice for you if:
- It's impossible to avoid the things that cause your allergic reactions — and allergy medications don't control your symptoms
- Allergy medications cause bothersome side effects or interactions with other medications you need to take
- You want to reduce your long-term use of allergy medication
- You're allergic to insect stings
Allergy shots can be used to control symptoms triggered by:
- Seasonal allergies. If you have seasonal allergic asthma or hay fever symptoms, you may be allergic to pollens released by trees, grasses or weeds.
- Indoor allergens. If you have year-round symptoms, you may be sensitive to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold or dander from pets, such as cats or dogs.
- Insect stings. Allergic reactions to insect stings can be triggered by bees, wasps, hornets or yellow jackets.
Allergy shots aren't available for food allergies or chronic hives (urticaria).
References
- 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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