Allergy shots are claimed to be the best medication in the market today that offer long term relief for allergies. Where other medications are not working, or where possible side effects are not acceptable, especially for a child, allergy shots might offer the best means of relief.

Immunotherapy, commonly called allergy shots, are a sequence of injections that help fight the substances (allergens) that most commonly trigger extreme allergic reactions.

Here's how it works; Allergy shots are injected over a period of time to a preplanned schedule. A series of shots will be given, initially at a rate of one or two shots per week for the first 3 to 6 months. This is followed by being injected only once in every month for the next 3 to 5 years. It is important to note that there is a slow but measured increase of dosage in every shot. This measured approach is to ensure that the body gradually accepts the component allergen into your system as a non-invasive substance.

Usually some small improvement in your allergic reactions are observed in first year of treatment but more positive and evident results will be recorded in the second year of injecting allergy shots. By the end of the third year, you should fully be desensitized to the allergens contained within the shots.

Continual monitoring and evaluation will be carried out by your doctor to ensure positive progress during the first year of regular allergy shots. Where necessary, the dosage of allergens within the shots will be adjusted to maintain the desired rate of progress. If this is not possible, then the shots program can be withdrawn to give way to other medication procedures.

How effective this treatment is in the long term has yet to be clarified. It appears that if the treatment is successful, most people with allergies will be able to keep the symptoms of the allergy at a satisfactory level and therefore look forward to lasting relief for life.

Further, reactions to having the allergy shots are are known to be mostly safe, but since your body is absorbing the same substance that initiated the anguish in the first place, the possibility reaction is clear although does not pose high risk.

You might experience or notice some slight irritation or redness of skin at the spot where the injection is given, but this will disappear in 4 to 8 hours depending on the exact dosage of allergens. Sneezing may also be noticed, as well as congestion in the nasal area and possible development of hives. Other more serious indications may include swelling in the throat or tightening of the chest or even the most serious reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Do not let this worry you however, as you will be observed by your doctor for 30 to 40 minutes after having each shot. This type of medication is only administered by your doctor, thus ensuring that appropriate aid is available in the unlikely event that a particular patient encounters an extreme reaction during the course of treatment.