Allergy immunotherapy (allergy injections) contains water extracts of pollens, molds, mites, insects, or
animal dander to which a patient has been shown to be allergic by skin testing. Venom allergy injections,
as the name implies, are actual doses of natural stinging insect venom or its purified components.
Allergy immunotherapy works by gradually building antibodies and changing the cellular response that
your body has to your allergies. Most people receive injections for five years, although some require
shorter or longer periods of treatment depending on how quickly they respond. The injections are given
weekly at first, and eventually this interval is lengthened.
Experience has shown that the majority of reactions which require emergency treatment occur within
20-30minutes of an injection. It is for that reason that all patients who receive such injections must
remain for 30 minutes in our designated waiting area until checked by one of our clinic nurses.
Normal to Mild Reactions: include local redness, itching, and soreness.
Moderate Reactions: may include local redness, itching, soreness and swelling up to the size of a quarter
or larger. These reactions need to be reported to the medical personnel PRIOR to the next injection, but
after hours telephone call is not necessary. You may take a dose of Benadryl and apply ice to the
injection site to help alleviate any discomfort.
Delayed Reaction: late reactions can happen from a few hours up to 24 hours after your injections. This
will include the area being warm to the touch and soreness. This is a normal immune response to your
allergy injections. You may take ibuprofen for the discomfort and you need to notify the medical
personnel PRIOR to the next injection, after hours call is not necessary.
Severe Reactions: may include swelling of the mouth or tongue, generalized rash, difficulty swallowing
or speaking, wheezing or difficulty breathing, abdominal (belly) pain, with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea,
and dizziness or fainting. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND A VISIT TO THE NEAREST
EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE IS NECESSARY FOR TREATMENT. This does not require after hours telephone call, but needs to be reported to medical personnel PRIOR to next injection.
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