The Iowa Clinic Allergy Shot Clinic offers allergen immunotherapy, which involves injecting small amounts of specific allergens into the body to cure allergies over time. Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps your body build tolerance to things that cause allergies, like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, molds, or insect stings.
Often called “allergy shots” or “allergy drops/tablets,” immunotherapy is different from regular allergy medicines because it changes how your immune system reacts to allergens. This can provide long-lasting relief—even after treatment ends.
Who can benefit from allergy immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy is usually recommended if you have:
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Allergic asthma
- Severe eczema
- Strong reactions to insect stings
- Indoor allergies — including dust mites, mold, or pet dander.
- Insect stings — including reactions triggered by bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets.
*Allergy shots are not indicated for food allergies.
Immunotherapy is generally not recommended for people with uncontrolled asthma, those unable to use emergency epinephrine if needed, or pregnant women.
It’s especially helpful if regular allergy medicines don’t provide enough relief or if you want to reduce your need for long-term medication.
How does allergy immunotherapy work?
Immunotherapy works by giving your immune system small, gradually increasing amounts of allergens to build tolerance. There are two main types:
- Allergy shots (SCIT) – Given as injections under the skin, usually in a doctor’s office. Shots are given once or twice a week for the first six months, then monthly for 3 to 5 years.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) – Tablets or drops placed under the tongue daily at home, with some forms FDA-approved for certain pollens and dust mites.
Allergy shots are given on a schedule that involves two phases. The buildup phase typically takes three to six months, with shots being given one to two times a week and the dose gradually increasing with each shot. The maintenance phase continues for an additional three to five years, with shots administered once a month.
Over time, this exposure will help the body build up a tolerance to the allergen, eventually reducing the severity of your response, and then curing you of your allergies. Frequency and duration of treatment depends on the individual patient and severity of the allergy, but getting your allergy shots on a regular basis will decrease the likelihood of any reactions from occurring.
What are the benefits of immunotherapy?
This treatment can:
- Reduce symptoms like sneezing, itching, and congestion
- Decrease the need for allergy medicines
- Potentially prevent new allergies or asthma from developing
- Provide long-lasting relief, even after treatment ends
What are the risks of immunotherapy?
Most side effects are mild, such as redness or swelling at the injection site or mild itching with tablets. Rarely, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur. That’s why allergy shots are given in medical offices, and patients must have an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) and wait 30 minutes after each shot.
How long does immunotherapy last?
Treatment usually lasts at least three years to achieve the best long-term results.
If you’re interested in allergy shots, the first step is to make a clinic visit with a board-certified allergy immunologist to discuss your symptoms & get tested. Schedule online today to get started or call 515.875.9260.