Allergy Shots

Whether you’re suffering from seasonal allergies or are sensitive to daily allergens like pets, mold, or insect bites, allergy shots may be an excellent solution for you. Approximately 80% of patients see improvement in their allergy symptoms after receiving allergy shots. At her self-named practice, Maricar Cutillar-Garcia, MD, provides expert allergy care to patients of all ages in Valencia, California. Call the practice today to learn more about this effective treatment, or use the convenient online scheduling tool.

What are allergy shots?

Allergy shots can reduce or stop allergy attacks. Your provider administers these injections on a schedule with a duration of approximately three to five years. The shots contain a minuscule amount of the substance that triggers your particular allergic reaction.  

Considered a form of immunotherapy, allergy shots safely stimulate your immune system, which helps your body build up a tolerance to the allergens. Your sensitivity will decrease over time. 

Allergy shots are effective, have no long-term side effects, and can be safely administered to any patient over five years of age. 

When would I benefit from allergy shots?

You may benefit from allergy shots if medications haven’t helped your symptoms or if you want to avoid long-term use of pharmaceuticals. 

Allergy shots can treat various airborne allergies. You may have seasonal allergies if you’re sensitive to hay fever or pollens released by trees, grasses, or weeds. 

With indoor allergens, you may be consistently triggered by allergens like mold, dust mites, cockroaches, or pets.

Allergy shots can also treat insect stings from bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets.

Unfortunately, allergy shots can’t treat food allergies or chronic hives. 

What happens during an allergy shots procedure? 

Before administering allergy shots, your provider conducts a skin or blood test to determine which particular allergens cause your allergic reaction. 

During a skin test, your provider scratches a tiny amount of the specific allergen into your skin and observes the area for swelling and redness. If this occurs, you have a sensitivity to the allergen.  

Your provider then develops a schedule to administer allergy shots into your upper arm.  

The buildup phase 

Your provider gives you shots one to three times a week, gradually increasing the allergen with each shot. This phase occurs over three to six months. 

The maintenance phase

Once your provider reaches the effective dose in each allergy shot, the maintenance phase requires a shot around once a month. This phase can occur for three to five years or longer. 

For any allergy shot appointment, you can expect to stay in your provider’s office for 30 minutes after the injection — this is to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. After shots, you should avoid exercising or taking a hot shower for at least two hours.

To learn more about allergy shots, reach out to Maricar Cutillar-Garcia, MD, by phone today or schedule an appointment online.