How long does it take to get allergy shots?
You may have been recommended by an allergist to start taking allergy shots or you may just be curious about whether or not allergy shots are a good option for you.
Whatever the reason, we answer the question “how long does it take to get allergy shots?” in this post.
Allergy shots are not a quick fix allergy treatment. It’s a long-term treatment option that aims to help cure your allergies long-term. With that being said, expect to be in it for the long haul.
Before you start shots
Before you start shots you will need to be tested for allergies. This involves being tested for a number of the most common allergens in your state. While the exact number of allergens you will be tested for might vary, it likely will be around 25.
Getting tested isn’t fun, but it’s essential because the results are used to determine whether you need allergy shots or whether your allergies can be managed a different way. Also, the results will be used to put together the serum used for your allergy shots.
How often do I need to get allergy shots?
Because allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy, they must be done over a long period of time to re-train your immune system to not react adversely when your body comes into contact with allergens.
The first phase, the build-up phase, typically requires injections every three to fourteen days. This is done over the course of three to six months, depending on the individual and how often shots are administered. In this phase you will have an increasing amount of allergens injected.
The second phase, the maintenance phase, will require shots every two to four weeks. There is no studies that show getting the injections every two weeks is more effective than every four, so three is typically what is recommended. In this phase you will get the same dose of allergens injected. This will continue for up to five years.
A quick warning: If you go longer than 56 days without an injection in the maintenance phase you risk starting at square one. The exact maximum length of time you can go before your allergist will be forced to start you over may vary by allergist. Be sure to check with yours if you think you will have to go an extended period of time without a shot.
Any other time considerations?
Besides physically having to travel to and from the Doctor’s office to get allergy shots, it’s also recommended that you wait in the lobby for 30 minutes after you receive your shots. A major adverse reaction to allergy shots is most likely to happen within the first thirty minutes. While major adverse reaction to allergy shots is rare, but if it does happen it needs to be addressed immediately.
As you can see, getting allergy shots takes some sacrifice of time. If you are suffering from allergies to the point where you get tested and recommended for shots, it’s likely that you will benefit from the treatment. I also was told a statistic that 70% of people who get shots have no reaction to their original allergens after completing five years of maintenance shots. Of the remaining 30%, most rarely experience reactions but when they do it’s typically minor compared to what they were experiencing before going through allergy immunotherapy.
One final note: Another important issue for people is the financial cost of this treatment. The financial costs involved will obviously vary, but it would be best to get insurance if you do not already have insurance. If you do have insurance you should either either check with the insurance company yourself or have your Doctor’s office check whether allergy shots are covered and if so, how much.
Disclaimer: This post was not written by a medical professional and is for informational purposes only. Please consult a medical professional before taking any action related to the information shared in this article.
Photo by Neeta Lind.