Allergy Shots Specialist
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Magnolia Allergy and Asthma
Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Physician located in Dallas & Corsicana, TX
When you’re miserable from the sneezing and runny nose of seasonal allergies, and you can’t get relief from over-the-counter medication, it’s time to consider allergy shots. Monica Sandhu, DO, at Magnolia Allergy and Asthma offers allergy shots that can dramatically alleviate the symptoms of seasonal and environmental allergies, often providing long-lasting results. To learn more about allergy shots or to schedule an appointment, call one of the offices in Dallas or Corsicana, Texas, or use the online booking feature.
Allergy Shots Q&A
What causes allergies?
Allergies begin when your immune system reacts to a harmless substance and labels it as dangerous. The immune system then creates antibodies to that substance, making it an allergen.
Every time you encounter that allergen in the future, it triggers an immune reaction and causes allergy symptoms.
How do allergy shots work?
Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, gradually relieve your allergies by desensitizing your immune system. The shots contain a small amount of your allergen, so you receive a dose that’s large enough to activate your immune system without causing an allergic reaction.
Dr. Sandhu gives you a series of shots, routinely exposing your immune system to gradually increasing doses of your allergens. As a result, your immune system develops a tolerance for the allergen and stops overreacting. Most patients achieve significant symptom relief, and some even find that their allergies disappear.
Which allergies improve with allergy shots?
Dr. Sandhu recommends allergy shots to treat seasonal and environmental allergies, including allergies to:
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Insect venom
With the exception of food allergies, nearly every other type of allergy may be treated with allergy shots.
How long will I need allergy shots?
Before you can receive allergy shots, you need to have allergy testing. Dr. Sandhu performs testing to identify your specific allergen so your shots target the appropriate substance. After your allergy shots begin, you receive injections on a regular schedule that follows two phases:
Build-up phase
At the beginning of your treatment, Dr. Sandhu administers one or two shots every week. This is the build-up phase because she slightly increases your dose with each injection. The build-up phase continues for about 3-6 months for most patients.
Maintenance phase
When Dr. Sandhu determines you’re ready for the maintenance phase, you continue getting allergy shots once or twice a month. During this phase, every shot contains the same dose. The maintenance phase may last 3-5 years, and during that time your symptoms will gradually improve until you reach optimal results.
Each patient responds differently to allergy shots. You may start to experience an improvement in your allergy symptoms during the build-up phase, or it could take as long as a year on the maintenance dose before your symptoms diminish.
Many patients have long-lasting allergy relief after they finish the maintenance phase. To learn if you’re a good candidate for allergy shots, call Magnolia Allergy and Asthma or schedule an appointment online.
