WHAT IS IMMUNOTHERAPY?
Immunotherapy involves desensitizing your body by administering diluted doses of the allergen, causing your body to naturally build up the necessary antibodies to relieve your bothersome symptoms. It involves a build-up phase and maintenance dosage.
HOW DOES IMMUNOTHERAPY WORK?
Build-up phase/ Dosage Escalation Schedule
During this build-up phase, you will receive a specialized treatment mixture based upon your allergic sensitivities. Your treatment mixture is specifically prepared only for you because no two patients are alike. You’ll receive injections (allergy shots) of this mixture, which will gradually desensitize your body to the allergens. Please plan for a 30 minute wait time after each build-up injection.
This period can be anywhere from six to ten months, depending on your sensitivities. At Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose & Throat, we believe in taking a conservative approach to your immunotherapy. This means that because we choose to build you up in a slow and calculated manner, you may find that you experience little to no reactions at all! You may experience some localized reactions at the test or injection sites in the form of itching, or redness and warmth. These are usually relieved by the application of ice or administering an over-the-counter topical anti-itch cream such as Benadryl. Details of your build-up phase and any possible side effects of treatment will be discussed at your initial appointment.
The dosage is influenced by the antigens being treated, the season, and patient history. The dose is increased weekly until symptoms are controlled without local reaction at the injection site. This process will continue until the maintenance dose or optimal dose is reached. This dose will provide relief for the longest period of time. This may vary with season and the individual patient’s response. Desensitization may take two to five years.
Therapy should be continued weekly for a year after the maintenance dose has been reached. At this point, if there has been no increase in allergic symptoms and the need to increase allergy medications, then the time between injections may be spaced further apart.
Maintenance Dose
When you have completed your build-up phase, the dosage is gradually increased weekly until your symptoms are controlled without local reaction at the injection site. This dose will provide relief of your symptoms for the longest period of time. While this may vary depending upon the season and each individual patient, complete desensitization may take two to three years to occur. Therapy should be continued weekly for a year after the maintenance dose has been reached. If there is no recurrence in allergic symptoms, the time between injections may be spaced further apart. Your physician will monitor your progress and will discuss any adjustments on intervals between as needed.
Allergy injections are given at different times at our locations. We do not offer home-administered injections. If you would like to undergo immunotherapy at home, speak with your doctor about sublingual immunotherapy.
Please remember:
- You must wait in our office for 30 minutes after receiving your shot just in case there is a reaction to the shot. A nurse will evaluate your condition after your shot to ensure there are no signs of a reaction.
- You will not be given an allergy shot if you have hives, wheezing, and/or a fever.
For more information about Allergy Immunotherapy, please click on the links below for our Allergy Immunotherapy Information Packet and Allergy Immunotherapy Consent patient forms:
Raleigh Capitol ENT Allergy Shot Information Packet
Allergy Immunotherapy Consent Form
IMMUNOTHERAPY HOURS
Injections are given by appointment ONLY in all our offices.
West Raleigh Office (Lake Boone Trail)
Allergy injections are given by appointment only at the following times:
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 11:00am, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Garner Office
Injections are given by appointment only at the following times:
Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m
Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00a.m.
Wake Forest Office
Allergy injections are given by appointment only at the following times.
Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 11:oo a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Brier Creek Office
Allergy injections are given by appointment only at the following times:
Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cary Office
Allergy injections are given by appointment only at the following times:
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:00p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Holly Springs Office
Allergy injections are given by appointment only at the following times:
Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. , 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.