Why Allergy Therapy Takes Years
Allergy immunotherapy doesn’t just manage symptoms – it retrains the immune system to respond differently to allergens. But building lasting tolerance takes time. Here’s why it takes some time, and why powering through is worth it in the long run.
How Immunotherapy Works
Immunotherapy is the only allergy therapy that gets to the root cause of allergy. While antihistamines and other symptom relievers mask the symptoms, immunotherapy trains the body to not react when exposed to allergens. There are three types of allergy immunotherapy – allergy shots, allergy drops, and allergy tablets. Allergychoices recommends allergy drops because they’re safe, effective, and custom to each patient. They can treat all problem allergens at one time, and they are tailored to each patient to eliminate the risk of a life-threatening reaction. Allergy drop immunotherapy starts with allergy testing thorough history and exam to determine the specific level of sensitivity the patient is to each allergen. Allergy drops are created with a dose high enough to help build tolerance, but not too high to cause reactions.
Three Phases of Therapy
Tolerance is built in three phases, and it takes time – often three to five years. Being consistent with therapy for that long can seem daunting, but it’s the best way to find long-lasting relief from your symptoms.
Phase 1: Initial oral tolerance
0-3 months
Your body adjusts to therapy and symptoms can improve. You may experience minor mouth itching, but this will decrease as tolerance begins.
Phase 2: Symptom relief
3 months – 2 years
As symptoms decrease, your body takes steps toward changing your allergen tolerance. You might feel tempted to stop your therapy because you feel better, but don’t! By continuing therapy, your body learns long-term tolerance.
Phase 3: Long-term tolerance
2 years – 5 years (length of therapy depending on severity of allergies)
As symptoms continue to improve, your body increases its allergen tolerance. This long-term learning is needed to stay symptom-free after therapy. Your provider will determine the final length of therapy.
Why Continue When You Feel Better?
Phase three of therapy is arguably the most important, because it trains the body to not react to allergens for the rest of your life – long after therapy is done. In this phase, the body is continually exposed to problem allergens at a safe, but high, level, and reminds the immune system to not react when exposed. Though you may feel relief, continuing therapy now will set you up for life-long tolerance, reduced symptoms and related flare ups from allergic conditions, and improved quality of life.
*Phase length varies based on allergy complexity & adherence. Foods may take longer.
How to Get Started
Getting started with therapy is as simple as finding a provider near you that offers allergy drop therapy through Allergychoices. Use our provider search tool here and schedule a consult for allergy testing with a clinician near you.
