Allergy Shots Specialist

What are allergies?

Allergies refer to an overreaction of your body’s immune system to a substance it considers harmful, even though it’s not harmful to most people. You can develop an allergy to anything, but the most common substances that cause an allergic reaction include:

• Pollen, ragweed, and grass
• Dust and mold
• Insect bites
• Pet dander
• Cockroaches
• Food

Most allergies can’t be cured, and treatment usually includes avoidance of your allergen as well as medication to control symptoms.

The experienced team at Rheumatology and Allergy Institute of Connecticut, LLC offer many treatments to help you gain control over your allergy symptoms, including allergy shots.

What are allergy shots?

Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that desensitizes your body to an allergen. The shots contain a small amount of the allergen responsible for your symptoms. They work by helping your body build up a tolerance to the allergen to reduce your body’s reaction and lessen your symptoms.

During treatment, your specialist at Rheumatology and Allergy Institute of Connecticut, LLC begins with a low dose of the allergen and then slowly increases the amount over time. The entire course of treatment can take up to five years, and may require weekly injections followed by monthly injections.

Am I a good candidate for allergy shots?

Your specialist at Rheumatology and Allergy Institute of Connecticut, LLC determines if you’re a good candidate for allergy shots. You may want to consider the treatment if:

• Your allergy medication isn’t providing the relief you need
• Your allergy medication interacts with your other medication
• You want to reduce your use of allergy medication

Allergy shots are also used to treat seasonal and indoor allergies, as well as insect bites.

Are there any alternative options to allergy shots?

Yes, there are alternatives to allergy shots. The specialists at Rheumatology and Allergy Institute of Connecticut, LLC also offer sublingual immunotherapy. Treatment is similar to the allergy shot, but instead of an injection, you’re given a tablet that contains the allergen which goes under your tongue.

Currently, sublingual immunotherapy tablets are only FDA-approved to treat allergies to ragweed, northern pasture grasses, and mold.

To learn more about allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy, call Rheumatology and Allergy Institute of Connecticut, LLC, or book an appointment online today.