How Allergy Shots Work 

Allergy shots, also referred to as immunotherapy, are an injection that contains a small dose of the item you are allergic to. You’ll receive the injection in your upper arm once a week for several months. As you move through the therapy, the amount of the allergen used in the dose will increase. Eventually the space between your injections will decrease, and you’ll only receive a maintenance dose once a month. As you move through the injection stages, you’ll feel an improvement in your allergy symptoms — and they may even disappear. 

Conditions Treated with Allergy Shots

Allergy shots can help with specific environmental allergies such as:

  • Pollen
  • Dust mites
  • Pet dander
  • Mold
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Had one of the BEST experiences I had at a doctors office ever. The doctor looked at me as a human and not just another patient/number.  Not only did he check on my symptoms, but he saw that I had anxiety about the situation and he talked to me and really helped me in so many ways. He gave me a plan of action, set a follow up, and assured me that all was good!

by JN

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Benefits of Allergy Shots

Allergies can stop you from visiting certain places, and can even make living in your city challenging due to local pollen — but allergy shots allow you to take control of your life. This treatment can reduce your allergy symptoms or even stop them completely. Each shot takes a very short amount of time for your Houston ENT doctor to administer, and can help you feel better in common environments. 

Who Is a Candidate for Allergy Shots?

During your visit to Texas ENT Specialists, we can determine if you would better benefit from allergy shots or if a different allergy treatment would be more beneficial. Our candidates are usually those who have chronic allergies with symptoms that last for more than three months each year. The treatment is designed for those with specific allergies such as pollen, pet dander, or dust. Patients should also be willing to commit to long-term treatment in order to achieve the best results.

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Your Allergy Shot Experience

Allergy shots are an injection that will be administered once a week for the first several weeks. As you begin to build a tolerance to the allergen, your dose will gradually increase. Eventually the goal is for you to require less frequent doses. Eventually the doses will be spread out to be every 2-4 weeks, then once a month. Through the process you will begin to feel relief from your allergies, and they ultimately may disappear. You may have some side effects from the shots, such as redness or swelling at the injection site. 

Allergy Shots FAQ's

Why do I need so many shots?

The continuous shots are what help patients build their tolerance to the allergen. Over time the number of shots will decrease.

Will I feel sick after the shots?

You should not feel sick after your shots. You may just experience some redness or swelling in your arm, but this should go away within a few hours.

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About Texas ENT Specialists

At Texas ENT Specialists, we offer tailored treatments and surgery for a wide selection of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Since 1997, we have been striving to help the patients of Houston obtain long-term relief. We have 15 office locations across Texas to make it as convenient as possible for you to visit our specialists.

Personalized Treatment

Each appointment and treatment will be tailored to fit your needs, as we understand treatments should be tailored to patients — not the other way around!

Top-Rated Physician Network

Each of our 15 locations is staffed with a team of experienced providers who have been fellowship-trained and board-certified.

Centers of Excellence

Our locations are designed to offer our patients a seamless experience from the moment they contact us to the moment we’re waving goodbye.

Continuity of Care

Our providers are always aiming to provide patients with long-term relief for their symptoms, rather than quick fixes that don’t tackle the root of the problem.

With 15 convenient locations across the greater Houston area, we’re never far away.

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