What are allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma?
Allergic rhinitis (often called hay fever) occurs when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe-you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. The particles are called allergens, which simply means they can cause an allergic reaction.
Asthma is a long-lasting condition that results in difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and coughing. When allergens such as pollens, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold make your symptoms worse, it is known as allergic asthma.
What are the risks of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma?
Allergic rhinitis can affect your health if you do not treat it. You may get complications such as sinus infections, plugged ears or ear infections, and nasal polyps.
If you do not control allergic asthma, it increases your risk of complications from lung and airway infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
What are allergy shots?
When you get allergy shots (immunotherapy), your allergist or doctor injects small doses of substances that you are allergic to (allergens) under your skin. This eventually decreases your reaction to the allergen and, over time, may reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Allergy shots are available for allergies to:
For more specific information about getting allergy shots, see Allergy shots for allergic rhinitis or Allergy shots for asthma.
For more information, see the topic Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma in Teens and Adults, Asthma in Children, or Allergic Reaction.
Your choices are:
- Try to eliminate or avoid the allergen.
- Continue to take medicine to control your allergy and/or asthma symptoms.
- Get allergy shots in addition to taking medicine to control your symptoms.
The decision about whether to have allergy shots takes into account your personal feelings and the medical facts.
Deciding about allergy shots
| Reasons to take allergy shots |
Reasons not to take allergy shots |
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- A life-threatening, whole-body reaction (anaphylaxis) to the shots, although rare, is possible.
- If you have another medical condition, such as asthma or coronary artery disease (CAD), you are at increased risk for a severe reaction to the shots.
- Experts do not know how long allergy shots are effective after you stop getting the shots. For allergies to some grasses, shots have been effective for 3 or 4 years.1
- You may need to have shots for 3 to 5 years.
- Allergy symptoms do not improve, or do not improve to the same degree, for everyone who uses allergy shots.
- You are allergic to many different types of allergens.
- Allergy shots are expensive.
- You are pregnant.
- You believe you can do more to avoid or eliminate allergens.
- Your child with allergies is younger than 5.
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Are there other reasons you might want to have allergy shots?
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Are there other reasons you might not want to have allergy shots?
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These personal stories may help you make your decision.
Use this worksheet to help you make your decision. After completing it, you should have a better idea of how you feel about taking allergy shots. Discuss the worksheet with your doctor.
Circle the answer that best applies to you.
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Other than my allergy, I am healthy.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I have asthma, but it is under control.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I am taking beta-blockers.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I can do more to avoid or eliminate allergens.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I am pregnant.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I have tried avoiding allergens and using medicine, but nothing has helped.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I understand that allergy shots do not work for everyone.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I understand there is a risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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My child with allergies is younger than 5.
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Yes |
No |
NA* |
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My child has allergic rhinitis, and I want to reduce his or her risk of developing asthma.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
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I understand I may need regular shots for 3 to 5 years.
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Yes |
No |
Unsure |
*NA = Not applicable
Use the following space to list any other important concerns you have about this decision.
What is your overall impression?
Your answers in the above worksheet are meant to give you a general idea of where you stand on this decision. You may have one overriding reason to take or not take allergy shots.
Check the box below that represents your overall impression about your decision.
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Leaning toward taking allergy shots
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Leaning toward NOT taking allergy shots
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