Immunotherapy

This page is about immunotherapy and what conditions it can help treat. Please visit our office to receive a professional treatment plan.

Immunotherapy

What is immunotherapy? There are a variety of different uses and treatments using immunotherapy, but at Central Texas Allergy & Asthma, we focus primarily on two routes of immunotherapy that include Sublingual Immunotherapy ("allergy drops") and Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”).
By giving you a minuscule amount of what you are allergic to, the therapy increases ‘immunity’ of tolerance to the allergen. This is done by infection-fighting antibodies that attack the allergen directly, resulting in fewer antibodies when the allergen is naturally triggered. This process reduces the severity of allergic symptoms and in some cases can eliminate the symptoms of an allergen altogether.

What conditions can immunotherapy provide relief for?

Environmental Allergies: Tired of dealing with pollen sensitivity? Our treatments can help reduce your symptoms and help you breathe easier, regardless of the season!
Pet allergies: If you or your family is allergic to dogs, cats, or any other pet within your home, our Immunotherapy treatment options can help alleviate your symptoms!
Allergic reactions: If you are allergic to fire ants, bees, or wasps, our Immunotherapy treatments can prevent hives and other negative reactions caused by insect stings and bites.

What are the ways to start immunotherapy?

Traditional: Traditional Immunotherapy is the most commonly practiced startup. Patients begin their injections at a rate of twice a week for about two months. Once this is done the injections then drop to once a week for 6 months, then every two weeks for 6 months, then every three weeks for 6 months, then monthly for the remainder of the treatment.
Cluster: Cluster Immunotherapy allows the patient to be given small groups of injections over the course of three weeks. The patient is then able to space shots to once a week directly and continue injections per the traditional timeline.
Rush: Rush Immunotherapy is a one-time rapid desensitization. In one visit the patient is given two months’ worth of traditional therapy. After the initial appointment, the patient starts at once a week injections and proceeds per the traditional timeline.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT/Allergy Drops)

Sublingual Immunotherapy is an alternative treatment option we provide for our patients. Allergy drops have been shown to lead to an alteration of your immune system’s response to naturally occurring allergens. These alterations may permit you to tolerate exposure to the allergen with fewer symptoms and have reduced dependence on daily medication. Allergy drops are given to patients to take at home. Due to the fact that FDA has not yet approved this treatment in the United States, SLIT is not covered by insurance.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT/Allergy Shots)

This is a highly effective, long-term treatment option for naturally occurring allergens. Administered right here in our office, these injections deliver precise amounts of gradually increasing serum. Our goal is to retrain your immune system over time, allowing you to tolerate everyday triggers with fewer symptoms and have reduced dependence on daily medication.