Immunotherapy for Allergies

Allergies affect millions of people worldwide, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe reactions. While over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause of the problem. For those who suffer from chronic or seasonal allergies, managing symptoms can often feel like an uphill battle. Immunotherapy for allergies can help the immune system become less sensitive to common triggers, offering a long-lasting solution tailored to a patient’s specific needs.

How Does Immunotherapy Target Allergies?

Immunotherapy helps retrain the immune system to respond more calmly to allergens. When you’re exposed to an allergen, your immune system treats it as a threat, triggering a release of histamine and other chemicals that cause typical allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy gradually exposes the immune system to small, controlled doses of the allergen. Over time, these doses increase, allowing your body to build tolerance and shift from an allergic reaction to a more balanced one that doesn’t cause symptoms. There are two main ways immunotherapy works:

• Immunotherapy helps your body produce T cells that help calm the allergic response and reduce the chemicals that trigger symptoms.
• Immunotherapy may also help your body create “blocking antibodies” that prevent allergens from causing a reaction in the first place.

Types of Allergies Treated With Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is effective for treating a number of different allergies, especially when other treatments like antihistamines, decongestants or nasal sprays aren’t enough. Allergies commonly treated with immunotherapy include:

• Pollen Allergies: This includes tree, grass, and weed pollen allergies, which are common triggers for seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
• Dust Mite Allergies: Dust mites are tiny organisms that live in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Immunotherapy can help reduce sensitivity to dust mite proteins.
• Pet Allergies: Pet dander, the flakes of skin shed by animals, can trigger allergic reactions. Immunotherapy can help reduce sensitivity to the proteins in pet dander.
• Mold Allergies: Molds thrive in damp environments and release spores that can cause allergic reactions. Immunotherapy can help desensitize the immune system to mold spores.
• Insect Sting Allergies: Immunotherapy can also treat allergies to insect stings, such as those from bees, wasps, and hornets.

The conventional and preferred treatment for food allergies is to avoid the food allergen and treat it with an epinephrine auto-injector if you are accidentally exposed to it. However, oral immunotherapy may be an option for certain foods, like milk, eggs, peanut butter, soy, wheat and certain nuts.

Types of Immunotherapies for Allergies

There are two main types of immunotherapy for allergies.

Allergy shots, or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), are the most common form of immunotherapy. They are administered just under the skin. The injections are given at gradually increasing doses, typically starting with small amounts and increasing over time. SCIT treatments usually begin with weekly injections during the buildup phase and then progress to maintenance shots, which are given less frequently (usually every 2-4 weeks).

Allergy Drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), is a newer form of immunotherapy that involves placing drops or tablets of allergens under the tongue. Like allergy shots, allergy drops work by gradually desensitizing the immune system to specific allergens, but it’s a less invasive alternative because there are no injections. Allergy drops are taken at home, so they offer a convenient option for those who are unable or unwilling to undergo regular allergy shots.

Are There Side Effects of Immunotherapy?

While immunotherapy is generally considered safe, like any medical treatment, it may cause side effects, which are typically mild and temporary, especially during the early stages of treatment when your immune system is adjusting. Common side effects include:

• Local reactions, which are more common with allergy shots, include redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site.
• Mild systemic reactions include sneezing, nasal congestion, or mild asthma-like symptoms. These reactions are typically short-lived.
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur, particularly with allergy shots. That’s why allergy shots are administered in a medical setting where emergency care is available.

For those using allergy drops, side effects may include mild irritation in the mouth or throat, swelling or itching. Severe reactions are also rare, but they can occur.

Your doctor will monitor your treatment and adjust the dosage to minimize side effects.

How Do You Know Immunotherapy Is Working?

Immunotherapy’s effectiveness is measured by reduction in allergy symptoms over time. Most patients begin to see improvements in their symptoms after about six months of treatment, but the full benefits may take one to two years to become apparent.

It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice and continue the entire course of treatment — even if you start to feel better before the treatment is complete. Stopping immunotherapy treatment early can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy.

Reviewed by Dr. Peter Logalbo.

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Immunotherapy at Schweiger Dermatology & Allergy

If you think you are experiencing allergies and other treatments aren’t working, schedule an appointment with one of our allergy specialists at Schweiger Dermatology & Allergy. Our board-certified allergist and allergy providers can perform testing to determine what your allergy triggers are and if immunotherapy is an option for you. Schedule an appointment online or call (844) 760-3380.

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