How do allergy shots help?
Allergy shots work by vaccinating a person against the inhaled allergens to which that person is allergic.  Venom therapy for stinging insect allergy works in the same way; the shots expose a person to a small increasing amount of the venom.

By exposing a person to allergen by an injection, we are able to trick the body into responding to these allergens in a different way, since most of these allergens typically enter the body across mucous membranes.  By slowly increasing the amount of allergen we are able to suppress production of the allergy antibody, or IgE, and also increase the production of blocking, or IgG, antibody which helps prevent the allergen from attaching to cells (called mast cells) which explode and release the chemical mediators that cause inflammation and allergy symptoms.

How long should one continue to take them?
Most patients are typically on allergy shots for 3-5 years.  Some patients may require shots longer and potentially for a lifetime.

Who should take allergy shots?
Candidates for allergy shots include patients with allergic causes of nasal rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, extrinsic or allergic asthma, or skin conditions such as hives.  In addition, patients who are allergic to stinging insect venom are also candidates for allergy shots directed against the venoms.

What is the difference between conventional immunotherapy and rapid desensitization?
Conventional allergy shot build-up is the traditional technique or method to achieve therapeutic doses of allergen in allergy shots.  With rapid desensitization or RUSH immunotherapy, we are able to bypass several months of build-up in less than a day. This is accomplished by premedicating the patient with prednisone or corticosteroid and two types of antihistamines for a couple of days before the procedure. With these medications on board, most patients can tolerate the rapid build-up without any problem other than minor soreness of the arms.

Both methods are effective at achieving therapeutic benefit from the allergy shots; however, we find that patients who have undergone RUSH immunotherapy are able to benefit earlier and reduce medications sooner than those who have the traditional or conventional build-up.  Overall, either method works.  However, because of the effectiveness, safety, and time saved -- for many patients the rapid desensitization is preferred.  This is especially true in patients who have stinging insect allergy and are at high risk for anaphylactic reactions which we can prevent with the allergy shots.

Who can take these methods?
Most patients are candidates for allergy immunotherapy by either method if they do not have problems taking the premedications and their heart and lung status are at acceptable levels.