• 12 Jul, 2026
• SendClinic
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Allergy Shots & Immunotherapy: What You Need to Know

When Sneezing Season Never Seems to End

You’ve tried the antihistamines. You’ve stocked up on tissues. You avoid the park in spring and keep your windows shut all summer. But for millions of people, managing allergies feels like a never-ending battle. If that sounds familiar, you may have heard about allergy shots or immunotherapy — treatments that go beyond symptom relief and actually work to change how your body responds to allergens. Understanding how these options work can help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider.

Allergy immunotherapy isn’t a new idea. Doctors have been using versions of it for over a century. But many people still have questions about what it involves, who it’s for, and whether it might be right for them. This article breaks it all down in plain language so you can feel confident exploring your options.

What Is Allergy Immunotherapy?

Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment approach that helps reduce your sensitivity to specific allergens. Instead of just blocking symptoms, it works by gradually exposing your immune system to small amounts of the things that trigger your allergies — like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. Over time, your immune system learns to tolerate these substances instead of overreacting to them.

Think of it like training your immune system. At first, even a tiny amount of an allergen sends your body into a defensive frenzy — causing sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or worse. With immunotherapy, repeated and carefully controlled exposure helps your immune system calm down its response. Many people experience a significant reduction in symptoms over the course of treatment.

Immunotherapy is used to treat a range of allergy-related conditions, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, and insect sting allergies. It is not typically used for food allergies, though research in that area is ongoing.

Allergy Shots: The Traditional Approach

Allergy shots, also called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), are the most well-established form of immunotherapy. They involve getting injections of allergen extracts — customized to the specific things you are allergic to — at regular intervals. Treatment generally happens in two phases: a buildup phase and a maintenance phase.

During the buildup phase, you receive shots one to three times per week. The dose of allergen gradually increases with each visit. This phase typically lasts several months. Once you reach the target dose, you enter the maintenance phase, where shots are given less frequently — usually once or twice a month. The entire course of treatment often lasts three to five years.

Allergy shots must be given in a medical setting because there is a small risk of a serious allergic reaction. Patients are usually asked to wait 20 to 30 minutes after each injection so a provider can monitor them. While reactions are uncommon, it’s important that trained medical staff are nearby when shots are administered.

Sublingual Immunotherapy: An Alternative Option

Not everyone wants to commit to regular office visits for injections. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offers a different delivery method — allergen extracts are placed under the tongue rather than injected. This approach has grown in popularity because it can often be done at home after an initial prescription and evaluation from a provider.

SLIT comes in two forms: drops and dissolvable tablets. The tablets are FDA-approved in the United States for certain specific allergens, including grass pollen, ragweed, and dust mites. Allergy drops are widely used but are considered off-label in the U.S., meaning they aren’t formally approved by the FDA for this use — though many allergists do prescribe them.

Sublingual immunotherapy tends to have a lower risk of serious side effects compared to shots. The most common reactions are mild — like itching or tingling in the mouth. However, it’s still important to start any form of immunotherapy under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider who can assess whether it’s appropriate for your specific situation.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Immunotherapy is not for everyone. It tends to work best for people who have allergies that are clearly identified through testing, whose symptoms are not well controlled by standard medications, or who want to reduce their long-term dependence on allergy medicines. It may also be considered for people whose allergies are significantly affecting their quality of life or triggering asthma symptoms.

Certain groups may not be good candidates, including people with severe or unstable asthma, certain heart conditions, or those taking specific medications. Pregnant women are generally not started on immunotherapy, though those already in a maintenance phase may be able to continue. A board-certified allergist or your primary care provider can help determine if this type of treatment is a good fit for you.

If you’re unsure where to start or just want to talk through your allergy symptoms with a licensed provider, SendClinic offers convenient telehealth visits with no insurance required. A provider can help evaluate your symptoms and discuss your next steps.

What to Expect from Treatment

Patience is key with allergy immunotherapy. Most people don’t notice dramatic changes right away. Some may begin to feel improvement within the first year of treatment, but the full benefits often take longer to develop. The goal is long-lasting relief — and for many people, that relief continues even after they stop receiving treatment.

It’s also important to keep realistic expectations. Immunotherapy reduces sensitivity to allergens; it doesn’t always eliminate symptoms entirely. Many people find they still benefit from occasional use of allergy medications, especially during peak allergy seasons, but need far less than before.

Staying consistent with your treatment schedule is important for success. Skipping shots or doses can slow progress and may reduce effectiveness. Working closely with your care team helps ensure the treatment is adjusted properly and that any side effects are addressed promptly.

Taking the Next Step

Living with allergies doesn’t have to mean just managing symptoms forever. Allergy immunotherapy offers many people a path toward real, lasting relief — and it’s worth learning more about whether it could help you. Start by speaking with a healthcare provider who can review your allergy history, discuss testing options, and help you explore the right treatment plan for your life.

Whether you’re dealing with seasonal sneezing, year-round congestion, or allergy-triggered asthma, help is available. SendClinic makes it easy to connect with a licensed provider from the comfort of your home — so you can get answers and start moving toward feeling better, faster.

References

• Cox, Linda et al. “Allergen immunotherapy: A practice parameter third update.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011.
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “Allergic Diseases.” National Institutes of Health. 2023.
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. “Allergy Shots (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy).” AAAAI. 2023.
• Canonica, G. Walter et al. “Sublingual immunotherapy: World Allergy Organization Position Paper 2013 Update.” World Allergy Organization Journal. 2014.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Allergy shots.” Mayo Clinic. 2023.