We’re well into allergy season, and that means your car is probably covered in pollen and your nose isn’t too happy about it. One way to stop seasonal allergies from bringing an onslaught of sneezing, coughing, red eyes and hives is to start a long-term treatment called immunotherapy.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy builds your resistance to a specific allergen or set of allergens. During immunotherapy, you’ll get increasing doses of an allergen you’re sensitive to, either through shots or orally. The treatment has two phases:
- The build-up phase: gradually increasing doses of an allergen for up to six months
- The maintenance phase: the same dose for three to five years
While the treatment lasts up to five years, you can expect to see symptom improvement within three to four months for allergy drops and within six months to one year for shots.[1][2] You can also take allergy medication while undergoing immunotherapy, so you don’t need to worry about uncontrolled symptoms while you wait for your treatment to kick in.
Why Should I Commit to Long-Term Treatment for Seasonal Allergies?
Even though the pollen causing your allergies is seasonal, severe symptoms can significantly impact your life. Think about the last time you tried to go to Laurel Park when pollen was at its peak; you probably left with itchy skin, red, watery eyes or a host of other symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy is your path towards a park day without severe symptoms.
Immunotherapy doesn’t just treat pollen allergies. Allergy shots can help you manage reactions to dust mites, mold, pet dander and insect stings, and tablets can treat dust mites and other seasonal allergies.
Schedule Your Immunotherapy Consultation
Starting treatment this year will set you up for success the next time allergy season rears its head. Don’t wait another moment to set out on the path towards symptom relief. Call our experts at Midwest ENT Centre to discuss whether allergy immunotherapy is right for you.
[1] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, July 13). Could allergy drops be the key to allergy relief? Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-allergies/could-allergy-drops-be-the-key-to-allergy-relief
[2] Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Allergy shots. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/allergy-shots/about/pac-20392876