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Allergy Shots
Immunotherapy includes allergy injections and gradually exposes the body to an allergen so it 'learns' not to react. Similar to a vaccination, which exposes the body to a little amount of a pathogen to establish immunity.
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How Do Allergy Shots Work?
Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy, and the idea behind them is simple. They gently expose your body to tiny amounts of what you’re allergic to, so that over time your immune system learns to stop treating it like a threat. It’s the same principle as a vaccine: a small, controlled exposure that helps your body build a lasting response.
Treatment usually happens in two phases:
Build-up phase
One to two times a week
You’ll come in for shots while your allergist slowly increases the dose. This typically lasts three to six months.
Maintenance phase
About once a month
Once you reach your target dose, visits stretch out and continue for three to five years.
Many people start noticing fewer, milder symptoms during the build-up phase, and relief tends to keep improving the longer they stay with it. Allergy shots are one type of immunotherapy.
Prefer to skip needles? If needles really aren’t your thing, allergy drops (taken under the tongue at home) may be an option worth asking about.
Types of Allergies & Conditions that Allergy Shots Can Treat
Allergy shots work especially well for the things you breathe in (pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander). Those are the triggers behind hay fever (allergic rhinitis), allergic asthma, and itchy, watery eyes, so as your immune system stops overreacting, those tend to ease too. They also help with insect sting allergies.
Not sure what’s actually triggering your symptoms? Allergy testing can pinpoint your specific triggers so your plan is built around you.
What To Expect During Allergy Shots
A standing appointment can sound like a lot, so here’s the honest version of what it looks like.
Each visit is quick, usually just a few minutes for the shot itself. Afterward, you’ll stay in the office for about 15–30 minutes so your care team can make sure you’re feeling good before you head out.
That short wait is the most important part of the visit, and it’s exactly why allergy shots are given with us rather than on your own.
It’s a commitment, but a manageable one, as most people find a visit fits into a lunch break.
01
Check in about your medications
Some people take an antihistamine before a shot to ease reactions. Ask your allergist what’s right for you, and don’t start or stop any medication without checking first.
02
Skip the hard workout beforehand
Intense exercise right before a shot can move the medication through your body too quickly. Give yourself a couple of hours of downtime before and after.
03
Speak up if you’re feeling off
Let your care team know if you’re sick, run-down, or having asthma symptoms before a shot. It helps them keep every visit safe.
Ready to Get Off the Symptom Treadmill?
Allergy shots could be the reset your immune system has been waiting for. Book a visit and we’ll help you find out if they’re right for you.
Are Allergy Shots Worth It?
Allergy shots aren’t a quick fix, and results build gradually. But for people who’ve spent years managing symptoms that never fully go away, they can be a genuine turning point. Here’s the honest case for it:
They treat the cause, not just the symptoms
Most allergy medicines wear off in hours. Allergy shots change how your body responds to allergens, so relief can last long after treatment ends.
Less reaching for medication
Many people cut back on daily antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops over time.
A real-life payoff
More time outdoors, easier mornings, better sleep, and fewer days lost to symptoms. It’s the everyday stuff allergies quietly chip away at.
A long-term investment
The commitment is real, but so is the goal: longer-lasting relief instead of managing the same symptoms every season.
The best candidates are often people who’ve spent years quietly working around their allergies: skipping the things they love, sleeping badly, feeling foggy or run-down, sometimes without realizing how much it’s dragging on them. Year after year, that adds up.
For those people, allergy shots can offer more than physical relief. They can give back the time allergies have been taking.
What Do Allergy Shots Cost?
Allergy shots are a widely covered medical treatment, and AllerVie works with most major insurance plans. Your exact cost depends on your plan, how often you come in, and your specific treatment.
The easiest way to confirm your coverage is to review our accepted insurance plans or contact your nearest AllerVie location. Our team can explain your coverage and any costs before your first visit.
Side effects of allergy shots
Allergy shots have a strong safety record. Most reactions are mild and short-lived. Here’s what’s normal and what’s not:
Local Reactions (Most Common)
Some redness, swelling, or itching where you got the shot. It usually fades within a few hours.
Systemic Reactions (Least Common)
Sneezing, congestion, or hives. Let your care team know if these show up.
Anaphylaxis (Extremely Rare)
A serious, whole-body reaction with symptoms like throat swelling or trouble breathing.
*Anyone experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis should seek out medical care immediately.
This is exactly why we keep you in the office for a short observation after every shot, so help is right there if it’s ever needed.