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 PATIENT EDUCATION
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<-- Back To Main Patient Education
Immunotherapy (Allergy shots)
Immunotherapy is one of the major breakthroughs in modern allergy treatment. It is call by different names, including desensitization, hypo-sensitization, and just plain "allergy shots".
In the immunotherapy process, a series of injections is given of gradually increasing doses of allergen extracts. Only the specific substances to which a patient tested allergic to are included in the extract mix. These include, most commonly, weed, grass, and tree pollens; dust mites; and mold spores. Each shot given has a bit higher dose than the preceding, until a "maintenance" level is reached. This higher maintenance dose is continued for a period of time - generally one to three additional years - as allergy symptoms continue to abate.
Partial to complete relief is experienced in about two-thirds of patients. The relief can last for a period of years after the allergy shots are ceased. In many cases the relief is very long term, especially in children.
A patient who embarks on this therapy should make the commitment to see it through. It is time consuming, and certainly not without cost. Starting immunotherapy, then stopping, then restarting again can be an expensive waste of time.
Before you wave immunotherapy off as being too expensive or time consuming…do the math. Think about how much you spend in the course of a year on antihistamines, decongestants, analgesics and the like to obtain relief. Then considered time missed from work or school due to allergy symptoms (or how much leisure time has been wasted).
Certainly, immunotherapy is not the answer for every patient. Some find relief from occasional symptoms through a treatment program of avoidance measures and prescription medications. But many others sing the praises of allergy shots, when, after taking the injections for a period of time, the desensitization begins to kick in and the allergic response is reduced or eliminated. After allergy testing our allergists will discuss the risks and benefits of immunotherapy if it is in deed indicated.
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Asthma & Allergy of Idaho and Nevada Locations
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Twin Falls
800 Falls Avenue
Suite 2
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
208.734.6091
Fax: 208.734.4654
Burley
1263 Bennett Avenue
Suite 3
Burley, Idaho 83318
208.678.1049
Fax: 208.678.1070
Hailey
408 S. Main
Hailey, Idaho 83333
208.788.1886
Fax: 208.788.9679
Elko
1250 Lamoille Hwy
Suite 624
Elko, Nevada 89801
775.753.3945
Fax: 775.777.9369
Coeur d'Alene
3731 N Ramsey Road
Suite 150
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815
208.665.1552
Fax: 208.665.1558
Moscow
700 S Main St.
Moscow, Idaho 83843
800.562.9608 ext 3277
Fax: 208.665.1558
Sandpoint
606 N 3rd Ave.
Suite 101
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
800.562.9608 ext 3277
Fax: 208.665.1558
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