Allergen Immunotherapy Specialist

The Allergy Clinic

Allergists located in Houston, Pearland, and Pasadena, TX

Medications like antihistamines can alleviate allergy symptoms, but they can’t alter your immune response. At The Allergy Clinic, with Texas locations in Pearland, Pasadena, and Houston, the expert allergists offer immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or drops to decrease your sensitivity to specific allergens and alleviate your suffering. For more information about immunotherapy, call one of the offices or book an appointment online.

Allergen Immunotherapy Q & A

How does immunotherapy work?

An allergic response occurs when your body, specifically the immune system, reacts to what is otherwise a harmless substance. By offering shots of compounds that contain increasing doses of the substance to which you’re allergic, called an allergen, immunotherapy builds up your immune system so you have a less severe reaction. The treatment naturally changes your resistance to allergens so your body is less likely to mistake harmless substances as dangerous.

No other treatment can change your immune system in the way that immunotherapy does. It can actually reduce the chance that future allergies will develop. Immunotherapy can also reduce any inflammation that leads to asthma and rhinitis.

What types of allergies can be treated with immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is effective on many common allergy causes. These include:

Grass, weed and tree pollens
House dust mites
Bee, wasp, hornet and yellow jacket venom
Animal dander
Molds

The immunotherapy, or allergy shots, make it so your body creates a blocking antibody, reducing your reaction when you come into contact with the irritating substance in the future.

Who is a candidate for immunotherapy?

The doctors at The Allergy Clinic test you for specific allergens using a skin or blood test. Most candidates for immunotherapy are sensitive to several allergens. All ages are eligible for immunotherapy.

Allergy shots can reduce the chances that allergies progress to asthma, and also decrease the frequency of sinus and bronchial infections.

How soon will I experience results from immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy results take time, but you may start to feel better relatively quickly. The doctors at The Allergy Clinic start you on immunotherapy shots that contain small doses of allergens, and over the course of several weeks, the dosage levels are raised gradually to build your immunity. Shots are given weekly or twice weekly. More rapid relief from allergen immunotherapy can be achieved with rush or cluster.

After several months you reach a maintenance level and come in for injections just once every 3-4 weeks. Many people find that they can discontinue all injections after 3-5 years of treatment yet maintain the beneficial immune protection.

To learn more about immunotherapy and its ability to reduce your allergic reactions, call The Allergy Clinic or book an appointment online.

What we offer