When is it Time to Consider Allergy Immunotherapy?

Around 14% of Americans have allergic rhinitis (hayfever), representing a significant reduction in quality of life for close to 48 million people. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though — in most Western countries, around a third of the population suffers from some kind of allergy.

If you have an allergy, you know how frustrating they can be. Sneezing, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, hives, and other symptoms can make everyday life uncomfortable. Medications like antihistamines or nasal sprays often help, but what if they’re not enough?

At Wake Family Medicine, we believe in helping you find long-term relief, not just temporary fixes. That’s where allergy immunotherapy may come in. But how do you know when it’s time to take the next step and consider immunotherapy? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Allergy immunotherapy principles

Allergy immunotherapy is a treatment that helps your immune system become less sensitive to the things you’re allergic to, like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. It works by exposing you to small, controlled amounts of the allergen over an extended period of time. This helps retrain your body to stop reacting so strongly.

There are two primary forms of immunotherapy:

Allergy shots

Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy) are injections administered in the arm at our office, typically once or twice a week initially, then less frequently over time.

Sublingual tablets or drops

Tablets or drops (sublingual immunotherapy) go under the tongue. You can take them at home after receiving the first dose in the office.

Allergy immunotherapy isn’t for everyone, but it can be life-changing for some. You might be a good candidate if:

You have moderate to severe allergy symptoms that affect your daily life or sleep
Your symptoms last for more than a few months each year
Medications don’t fully control your symptoms or cause side effects
You want to reduce or stop relying on allergy medications
You’re allergic to things you can’t easily avoid (like dust mites or pollen)
You have allergy-related asthma or frequent sinus infections

At Wake Family Medicine, we take time to understand your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle to help decide if immunotherapy is right for you.

Allergy immunotherapy benefits

The primary benefit of allergy immunotherapy is that it addresses the root cause of your allergies, not just the symptoms. Over time, it can help:

Reduce how often and how strongly you react to allergens
Lower your need for medications
Improve asthma control
Reduce sinus and ear infections
Prevent new allergies from developing
Possibly prevent asthma in children with allergic rhinitis

Most people start to feel better within 6-12 months, with full benefits in 3-5 years.

Undergoing allergy immunotherapy

Here’s what you can expect if you start allergy immunotherapy:

Step 1: Allergy testing

We begin with allergy testing (usually skin prick testing or blood tests) to find out precisely what you’re allergic to.

Step 2: Personalized plan

Based on your results, we create a custom treatment plan. Whether you choose shots or drops/tablets, we guide you through each step.

Step 3: Build-up phase

The build-up phase is when your body gradually becomes accustomed to the allergen. For allergy shots, you come to the office regularly. For sublingual treatments, you take them daily at home after the first supervised dose.

Step 4: Maintenance phase

Once you’ve built up tolerance, your treatments become less frequent (for shots) or stay the same (for tablets/drops). Most people stay in this phase for 2-3 years.

Allergy immunotherapy is generally safe and well-tolerated. Most side effects are mild, for example, redness at the injection site or a slightly itchy mouth with sublingual tablets.

Serious reactions are rare but can happen, which is why we monitor you in the office for a short time after each shot. We make sure you understand the risks and how to stay safe, especially if you have asthma or a history of severe allergic reactions.

It might be time to talk about immunotherapy if:

You’re using allergy medicine almost every day
Your allergies are getting worse over time
You avoid outdoor activities because of pollen or other allergens
You’ve had to miss work or school because of allergy symptoms
You want a long-term solution instead of short-term relief

We’re here to help you breathe easier, sleep better, and live more fully. While allergy immunotherapy isn’t a quick fix, it can be a powerful tool for long-term relief.

If allergy symptoms are interfering with your daily life, it may be time to consider a more effective solution. Call Wake Family Medicine to learn more about allergy immunotherapy or use the online form to schedule a consultation.