Immunotherapy builds your tolerance levels to specific allergens to control your allergic reactions.
You may have heard of the term “immunotherapy” before. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that a Las Vegas allergist can use to control your allergy symptoms and provide relief. If your doctor decides that you’re a good candidate for immunotherapy, you’ll receive a series of allergy shots to decrease your sensitivity to the substances you are allergic to.
Immunotherapy (allergy shots) is a treatment of allergy to airborne allergens. An allergy shot involves administering increasing doses of allergens which cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the allergens. Allergy shots are effective for allergies to grass, weeds, tree pollens, mold, dust mite and animal dander. The whole idea of treating you with the very things that make you miserable may seem a bit odd, but in many cases, it works. In other words, allergy shots seem to build a resistance to the things that cause your symptoms, then the next time you run into those allergens, you will tolerate them much better.
Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
While allergy shots are not a cure, symptoms may be minimized through a long-term commitment by the patient. Medications should be continued in conjunction with allergy shots and improvement may be seen as early as 6 months. Factors that determine the need for allergy injections include: patient history, skin test reaction, failure of medications, and significance of the allergen to the geographical area. Allergy shots are 80-85% beneficial and require regular attendance for effective response.
If immunotherapy helps you, most patients continue it for several years. In some cases, if your symptoms return after allergy shots are stopped, it may make sense for you to start getting them again. Fortunately, most people don’t need to continue getting their shots indefinitely.
If immunotherapy is successful, you will probably have fewer (and less severe) reactions to the substances that cause your allergies to flare up. You may also find you need less medicine than before to control your allergies.
What are the Benefits of Immunotherapy?
Over a period of time, immunotherapy builds your tolerance levels to specific allergens to control your allergic reactions. Immunotherapy can help relieve asthma, hay fever, conjunctivitis caused by allergies, reactions from insect bites and stings, and more.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy works by preventing your body from producing histamine. Histamine is a substance produced by the cells when an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) forms in the bloodstream. IgE develops as a direct response to allergy exposure. Ragweed, pet dander, and dust mites are a few common allergens that trigger the production of IgE, which then attaches to mast cells in your body to generate histamine. Histamine causes allergic responses. Immunotherapy instead triggers the production of an antibody called Immunoglobulin G, or “IgG.” IgG does not attach to cells, which in turn prevents the production of histamine.
How Often is Immunotherapy Needed?
Immunotherapy is a multi-stage approach to managing allergy symptoms. You’ll get allergy shots weekly to start for approximately four to six months. The shots are then administered bi-weekly, followed by every third week, and eventually just once a month. Monthly allergy shots are maintained and revaluated each year to determine the success. While the number of allergy shots decreases over time, your allergen exposure increases to improve tolerance.
If you’re ready to find relief from your allergy and asthma symptoms, Allergist in Las Vegas is here to help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Tottori online or by calling (702) 240 4233 today.
Our West Location
9020 W. Cheyenne Ave
Patient parking is conveniently located near the (south) front entrance and (north) rear entrance of our building. Additional parking is located on the (west) side of our building. Accessible parking available.
Patient parking is conveniently located near the (south) front entrance and (north) rear entrance of our building. Additional parking is located on the (west) side of our building. Accessible parking available.
| Day | Office Hours | Allergy Shot Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | 9:00 am-11:15 am / 2:00 pm-4:45 pm |
| Tuesday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | 9:00 am-11:15 am / 2:00 pm-4:45 pm |
| Thursday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Friday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | 9:00 am-11:15 am / 2:00 pm-4:45 pm |
| Saturday | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm | 8:30 am – 11:45 am |
| Sunday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Office Hours
Monday
8am-5pm / Allergy Shots 9:00 am-11:15 am / 2:00 pm-4:45 pm
Tuesday
CLOSED
Wednesday
8am-5pm / Allergy Shots 9:00 am-11:15 am / 2:00 pm-4:45 pm
Thursday
CLOSED
Friday
8am-5pm / Allergy Shots 9:00 am-11:15 am / 2:00 pm-4:45 pm
Saturday
8am-12pm / Allergy Shots 8:30-11:45am
Sunday
CLOSED
Our East Location
4000 E. Charleston Blvd, Suite 100
Patient parking is conveniently located near the (east) side entrance of our building, adjacent to the large parking lot. Additional parking is located on the (north, south and west) side of our building. Accessible parking available.
Patient parking is conveniently located near the (east) side entrance of our building, adjacent to the large parking lot. Additional parking is located on the (north, south and west) side of our building. Accessible parking available.
| Day | Office Hours | Allergy Shot Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:15 am / 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm |
| Wednesday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | 9:00 am – 11:15 am / 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm |
| Friday | 8:45 am – 5:45 pm | 9:00 am – 11:15 am / 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm |
| Saturday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Office Hours
Monday
CLOSED
Tuesday
8am-5pm / Allergy Shots 9:00 am – 11:15 am / 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Wednesday
CLOSED
Thursday
8am-5pm / Allergy Shots 9:00 am – 11:15 am / 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Friday
8:45am-5:45pm / Allergy Shots 9:00 am–11:15 am/2:00 pm–4:45 pm
Saturday
CLOSED
Sunday
CLOSED
