Ankeny Immunotherapy Treatments

Understanding How Immunotherapy Interacts with Your Allergies

If you are battling allergies, then you know all too well how frustrating it can be when it sends you into a sneezing, itchy eye, runny nose fit. Unfortunately, your body is treating this otherwise harmless element like it’s an invader, which stimulates the immune system to release histamines to fight the allergen. Unfortunately, this leaves you blowing your nose and rubbing your eyes most of the day.

If you’ve been battling allergy symptoms for a while now and you aren’t experiencing lasting or adequate relief through over-the-counter or prescription treatment options, then you may be wondering if immunotherapy (AKA allergy shots) is right for you.

Allergy shots are a long-term therapy that helps to decrease the body’s response to an allergen over time. This can be a benefit to those dealing with allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, and pet or insect allergies, as they often experience more severe allergic reactions. Allergy shots are effective and beneficial for both children (over the age of five) and adults.

Wondering if our immunotherapy treatments in Ankeny may be right for you? Call us at (515) 619-5179 today to schedule an appointment!

What’s Involved in Immunotherapy?

If you and your allergist determine that immunotherapy is right for you, here’s what to expect from this treatment process.

There are two phases to immunotherapy: the build-up phase and the maintenance phase. During the build-up phase, our allergists will continue to gradually increase the amount of the allergen that your body is exposed to with each set of injections. These injections are usually administered once per week though some patients may require them as many as two times per week.

Before you start your treatment, we will determine your target dose, as this varies from person to person. The build-up phase may be reached in as little as three to six months.

Once the target dose is reached, we will begin the maintenance phase of your treatment. This means that you won’t need to come in as often for treatment (usually about every 2-4 weeks). The maintenance phase is the longest part of the treatment, taking anywhere from 3 to 5 years.

The reason so many people turn to immunotherapy is that it can often provide patients with remission from their symptoms, sometimes for life. So, while the length of treatment is longer than other allergy treatments, the effects are lasting.

What's Next For Your Allergies?

If you are wondering whether you could benefit from immunotherapy, talk with our allergists today to learn more. Call Allergy Institute P.C. in Ankeny, IA, at (515) 619-5179 to schedule a consultation.