Immunotherapy Treatments

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Don’t Just Treat Your Allergies — Get Long-Term Relief

Are you looking for an alternative to daily allergy medicines and inhalers? Do you want lasting relief from allergy symptoms? At Mardiney® Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology Centers, we offer preventive treatment options that can significantly reduce your allergy symptoms and help you take your life back.

Treating your allergies has never been easier. Our convenient office hours make it simple to schedule treatments without missing work. With appointments available as late as 7 p.m., you can stop by on your way home from the office or job site.

What Is Immunotherapy?

Allergy immunotherapy, commonly referred to as allergy shots, is a long-term treatment that helps reduce allergy symptoms. It works by gradually desensitizing your body to specific allergens to produce, often leading to lasting relief — even after treatment has stopped.

Immunotherapy works in a way similar to a vaccine. Each injection contains a small, controlled amount of the allergens that trigger your allergic reactions. Over time, this helps your immune system build tolerance. Treatment is completed in two phases:

  • Build-Up Phase: This phase typically involves receiving two allergy shots per week, with the dose gradually increasing until your body reaches an effective level of tolerance to the allergen. This process usually takes about 4 to 6 months before you transition to the maintenance phase.
  • Maintenance Phase: Once the effective dose is reached, you’ll receive one shot per week for the next 4 to 5 months. After about a full year of treatment, your doctor will decrease the frequency of injections to every other week. We generally recommend continuing allergy shots for three to five years to help achieve long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms, even after treatment has ended.

As treatment progresses, your immune system becomes less sensitive to allergens, and your body begins to build a tolerance to the allergens in the serum. Symptoms are often significantly improved by the time the maintenance dose is reached, although it may take up to a full year to experience the maximum benefit. If your symptoms haven’t improved by that time, you should speak with your immunologist about adjusting your treatment plan or exploring additional options.

Benefits of Immunotherapy Injections

Most adults and children with severe allergies can benefit from allergy shots. People whose medications do not fully control their symptoms, or who experience irritating side effects, often choose immunotherapy injections for long-term relief. Immunotherapy can also reduce the need for ongoing reliance on medications. Conditions that often respond well to immunotherapy include:

  • Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
  • Allergic asthma
  • Allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies)
  • Sensitivity to indoor allergens such as mold, dust mites, or pet dander
  • Allergic reactions to bee stings and fire ant bites

Allergen immunotherapy is not used to treat food allergies. Once a food allergy is diagnosed, strict avoidance of the trigger food(s) is recommended.

Effectiveness of Immunotherapy

Allergy shots are an effective way to reduce the symptoms of many allergies. Research has shown that immunotherapy provides lasting benefits, including helping prevent the onset of new allergic sensitivities in children and lowering the risk of developing asthma.

To ensure your treatment is as effective as possible, it’s important to maintain a consistent shot schedule. Missing doses can significantly delay your progress toward the maintenance phase and may increase the risk of allergic reactions.

Potential Risks of Immunotherapy

Most people tolerate immunotherapy very well, but as with any medical treatment, there are some risks. Because allergy shots contain small amounts of the substances you are allergic to, reactions can occur. The most common side effects are mild and include redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site.

In rare cases, a more serious allergic reaction may develop. For this reason, immunotherapy is always administered under medical supervision.

Be sure to speak with your immunologist if you have any questions about potential side effects or what to expect during treatment.

Contact Mardiney® Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology Centers to Find an Immunologist Near You

If you are struggling with seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis, or allergic asthma, now is the time to take action. Our immunology centers provide advanced treatments designed to reduce your symptoms and help you get back to enjoying life.

If you have any questions regarding allergen immunotherapy or any of the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to call us today at (877) 878-9314 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We can help you schedule a visit with an immunology specialist at any of our three convenient Maryland locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is allergy immunotherapy?

Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that helps your immune system become less sensitive to allergens. By gradually exposing your body to small amounts of the substances that trigger your allergies, immunotherapy can significantly reduce symptoms over time.

Allergy medications help control symptoms temporarily, but they do not change the underlying allergy. Immunotherapy works at the immune system level to reduce your body’s reaction to allergens, offering longer-lasting relief.

Most patients receive allergy shots for three to five years. This timeline helps your body build lasting tolerance so symptoms can remain improved even after treatment is stopped.

Some patients notice symptom relief within a few months, but it may take up to a year to experience the maximum benefit. Many people begin to see improvement during the build-up phase, with continued progress over time.

Yes. Immunotherapy has been used safely for many years. Most side effects are mild and include redness or swelling at the injection site. Because there is a small risk of a more serious allergic reaction, shots are given in a medical setting where you can be monitored.

Immunotherapy is often recommended for patients with moderate to severe environmental allergies, allergic asthma, or stinging insect allergies that are not well controlled with medications or avoidance measures.

Yes. Many children benefit from allergy shots, especially when symptoms interfere with school, sleep, or daily activities. Early treatment may also help reduce the risk of developing asthma later in life.

No. Immunotherapy is typically continued for three to five years. After that, many patients maintain long-term symptom relief without ongoing treatment.

Traditional allergy shots are not used to treat food allergies. The standard treatment for food allergies is strict avoidance and being prepared in case of accidental exposure.

Missing appointments can delay your progress and may require adjusting your dose for safety. It’s important to stay on a consistent schedule to get the best results from treatment.