Trying a new treatment can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time hearing of it. Or, maybe you’ve heard of it, but you don’t know anyone who has done it, so you don’t know what to expect. It’s okay to be nervous, but there’s little to worry about with allergy immunotherapy. After all, it has been around for well over a century! With a bit of background understanding of allergy immunotherapy and a quick runthrough of what to expect, you can feel more confident going into your first AIT treatment.
Understanding Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is a treatment that desensitizes the body to a particular allergen by repeatedly exposing it to the allergen. Through this process, it helps reduce the production of “blocking” antibodies responsible for creating the symptoms.
The allergen is usually administered under the tongue or under the skin. The former, administered under the tongue, is called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This type is commonly used for children, as it doesn’t involve any injections. Instead, it’s as simple as placing a few allergy drops or tablets under the tongue, waiting a few moments, and swallowing.
The latter, administered under the skin, is called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). This type is more commonly used, although it’s less popular for kids and needle-shy individuals. It involves an injection of the allergen underneath the skin and requires monitoring afterwards for any adverse reaction.
Phases of Treatment
Your allergy immunotherapy journey will likely begin with skin tests or blood tests to pinpoint what allergies you have. This is usually completed in your initial appointment with the allergist, although it can vary from one situation to the next.
Buildup Phase
The buildup phase is the first official phase of your allergy immunotherapy journey. During this phase, you’ll typically receive an allergy shot, allergy drops, or an allergy tablet between one and three times per week. You’ll repeat this process every week for six to ten months. Over this timeframe, the amount of the allergen inside the dose will slowly increase, pushing your immune system to gradually build an allergen-specific tolerance.
This phase can feel like a lot, especially if you need treatment multiple times per week and choose the shots route. Since you have to visit your allergist or doctor for the shot and remain at the clinic for a set period afterwards for monitoring, it can create scheduling issues. If you’re unable to take work off or have other commitments that prevent you from being able to visit your doctor a few times a week for the injection, allergy drops might be a good alternative for you.
Maintenance Phase
The second phase is the maintenance phase, which lasts the longest. During this timeframe, your allergy immunotherapy doses will drop significantly. Oftentimes, people will drop down to just a single treatment per month. This part of the process is considerably more manageable, especially if you have a busy, hectic schedule as is. The amount of time you spend in the maintenance phase depends entirely on you and the severity of your allergy. Generally, the more severe the allergy, the longer you’ll need to follow your immunotherapy regimen.
Most people continue this part of the process for anywhere between three and five years, but it can look different for everyone. For example, if you have a severe allergy to pollen, you might have to continue the process for five years to get and maintain the best results. While many people can eventually stop allergy immunotherapy and continue seeing the benefits, some people may need to continue the treatment indefinitely. It all depends on factors specific to you!
Go Into Your First Treatment Prepared
Taking that first step into your allergy immunotherapy program can be a little bit scary, especially if it’s all new to you. Knowing what to expect can go a long way. Whether you choose the allergy shots option and visit the doctor each week or administer your own allergy drops from home, you can confidently enter your first treatment knowing what to expect. Of course, if you have any questions, concerns, or doubts, you can always talk to your allergist or doctor!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take AIT to Work?
Most people begin noticing results with their allergy immunotherapy program within the first year. However, it can take up to two or three years for the best results to appear. It all depends on you and how your body reacts to the treatment.
How Much Do Allergy Shots Cost?
The cost of allergy shots varies dramatically based on multiple factors, including the medical facility and your health insurance coverage. However, most people pay between $1,000 and $4,000 per year for allergy immunotherapy.
