Immunotherapy is often recommended for:

Pollen allergies, including grass and ragweed
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Mold allergies
Dust mite allergies
Animal dander, including cat and dog allergies
Cockroach allergies
Insect venom (bees, wasps, and other stinging insects)
Peanut and other food allergies can also be treated with immunotherapy. However, immunotherapy isn’t a “cure” for food allergies. Instead, it helps reduce the severity of allergic reactions caused by accidental exposure to peanuts and other food allergens.

Before starting immunotherapy, your CN Internal Medicine provider administers testing to accurately identify the substances that trigger your allergic response. This is typically done through skin tests. During skin testing, small amounts of common allergens are introduced by a small needle scratch to an area on your inner forearm. Your provider then checks the site for a response, likely a tiny red bump. Depending on the type of allergy, your CN Internal Medicine provider may recommend: Allergy shots Allergy shots are the most familiar form of immunotherapy. Different allergens can be combined in one injection and administered once or twice a week for 6-12 months. Eventually, injection frequency is decreased to once a month, which can continue for 3-5 years. Most people can discontinue immunotherapy at that point. Sublingual immunotherapy Sublingual immunotherapy is administered by tablets that dissolve under the tongue. It’s been approved to treat grass, ragweed pollen, and dust mite allergies. Each tablet covers one allergen, making this immunotherapy much less versatile than allergy shots. In addition, people with severe or uncontrolled asthma aren’t eligible for sublingual immunotherapy. Schedule an evaluation at CN Internal Medicine today for more information about allergy care. Call the office or request an appointment online.