Allergy shots are a form of allergy and asthma treatment in which increasing, controlled doses of an allergen are injected into a patient over a period of time. The goal is to increase the patient’s tolerance to the allergen while reducing symptoms brought on by an allergic reaction.  

Allergy shots are used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms, such as sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose; and symptoms associated with insect sting allergies. Breathing problems associated with asthma can be triggered by certain allergens. Therefore allergy shots can also help prevent asthma attacks in some people with asthma.

Allergy treatment more commonly involves a mixture of avoidance (completely avoiding the allergen) and one or more allergy medications to prevent or relieve symptoms. Allergy shots may be recommended when other treatments fail or in severe cases. Shots may be recommended to a person who has a life-threatening reaction to insect stings, for instance.

The goal of allergy shots is to increase the body’s tolerance to a certain allergen, to accomplish one or more of the following:

• Prevent the onset of symptoms
• Lessen the frequency of reactions
• Lessen the severity of symptoms resulting from a reaction

Allergy shots are not effective for everyone, and there are risks to the treatment that must be weighed. However, many who suffer from allergies or asthma find long-lasting relief as a result of immunotherapy.