Allergy Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots & Allergy Drops)

If you struggle with ongoing allergy symptoms despite medications, allergy immunotherapy may provide long-term relief. At AllergySA, we offer both allergy shots and allergy drops to help patients in San Antonio reduce their sensitivity to common allergens and improve their quality of life.

Unlike medications that simply mask symptoms, immunotherapy addresses the underlying cause of allergies by gradually retraining the immune system to become less reactive to allergens. Studies show that immunotherapy is effective for most people: many need less allergy or asthma medication, have fewer flare-ups, and often feel better overall. Research suggests that more than 7 out of 10 patients notice real benefits, and children who start early may be less likely to develop new allergies or worsening asthma later on.

Allergy Immunotherapy is one of the few treatments that can actually change the course of allergic disease, not just relieve symptoms.

How Does Allergy Immunotherapy Work?

Allergy immunotherapy is a treatment designed to desensitize your immune system to the specific allergens causing your symptoms. Small, controlled doses of allergens are administered on a regular schedule, allowing your body to gradually build tolerance and reduce allergic reactions over time.

This treatment is commonly recommended for patients with:

• Seasonal allergies (hay fever) from tree, grass, or weed pollen
• Dust mite allergies
• Pet dander allergies (cats or dogs)
• Mold allergies
• Cockroach allergies
• Allergic asthma triggered by environmental allergens

For many patients in South Texas, where pollen seasons can be long and intense, immunotherapy can significantly reduce symptoms and decrease reliance on daily medications.

Allergy Shots (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy)

Allergy shots are the most established form of immunotherapy and have been used safely and effectively for decades.Allergy shots involve injecting small amounts of allergens under the skin on a regular schedule. Over time, the immune system becomes less sensitive to those allergens.

Treatment Phases

Allergy shots are typically given in two phases:

Build-Up Phase

• Injections generally given once or twice per week
• Gradually increasing allergen doses
• Usually lasts 3–6 months

Maintenance Phase

• Injections every 2–4 weeks
• Continued for 3–5 years for long-term benefit

AllergySA also offers accelerated build-up programs, allowing the patient to reach maintenance phase, or effective therapeutic dose, faster. This allows patients to achieve symptom relief more quickly.

These programs, Rush Immunotherapy and Cluster Immunotherapy, are ideal for patients who travel or cannot commit to a weekly schedule of office visits. Not everyone is a candidate for the accelerated programs, your AllergySA provider will discuss the best option for you.

Benefits of Allergy Shots

• Long-term reduction in allergy symptoms
• Decreased need for allergy medications
• Improvement in allergic asthma symptoms
• Potential prevention of new allergies developing

Allergy shots are administered in our office so our medical team can monitor patients for safety.

Allergy Drops (Sublingual Immunotherapy)

Allergy drops are a reliable, at-home alternative to allergy shots and are offered at AllergySA for appropriate patients.

How Allergy Drops Work

With sublingual immunotherapy, liquid allergen drops are placed under the tongue daily. The drops are absorbed through the oral tissues and help train the immune system to tolerate allergens.

Benefits of Allergy Drops

• Convenient at-home treatment
• No injections required
• Safe and well tolerated
• Ideal for patients who travel frequently, have difficulty getting to the office for shots, have a skin condition that prevents injection administration, or who prefer not to receive shots

Although not as effective as allergy shots, many patients appreciate the flexibility and convenience of allergy drops while still receiving the long-term benefits of immunotherapy.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Allergy Immunotherapy?

You may benefit from allergy shots or allergy drops if you:

• Have moderate to severe environmental allergies
• Do not get enough relief from allergy medications
• Want to reduce long-term medication use
• Have allergic asthma triggered by environmental allergens
• Experience symptoms throughout much of the year

During your consultation, your AllergySA provider will review your medical history, symptoms, and allergy testing results to determine the best treatment option for you.