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Allergy shots can help reduce allergy symptoms, such as itchy or watery eyes or a runny or stuffy nose. They can also treat other conditions that your child may have,such as asthma. Allergy shots are also known as allergen immunotherapy or allergy injections.

Allergy shots may help your child if they are allergic to:

1. Pollen from grasses, trees, plants, and weeds.
2. Poison (venom) from stinging insects.
3. Pet urine, saliva, or dander. Dander is dead skin cells from a pet.
4. Bugs (mites) that live in house dust.
5. Molds.

Allergy shots are not given for food allergies.

In most cases, the shots are not recommended for children younger than 5 years of age.

Some allergies can be treated with tablets placed under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy).

Tell a health care provider about:

1. All medicines your child is taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops,creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
2. Any bleeding problems your child has.
3. Any medical conditions your child has.
4. Whether your child is pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

The health care provider will talk with you about risks. These may include:

The shots not working.

If this happens, your child may need to stop treatment. Your child may also need to stop getting the shots if they miss too many appointments or start taking certain medicines.

A serious reaction to treatment. This is rare.

If your child has a reaction that spreads through their body (systemic reaction), get medical help right away. In most cases,reactions happen within the first 30 minutes after the shots. In some cases, they can occur later.

What happens before the procedure?

1. Before your child starts to get allergy shots, they will have tests done to find out what they are allergic to. These tests may include skin tests or blood tests.
2. Be sure to learn about the long-term commitment that this type of allergy treatment requires.
3. Let the provider know if your child does not feel well the day of the shot.
4. Tell the provider if your child had any symptoms after their last shot.

Let the provider know if there are any changes to:

1. Your child's asthma symptoms.
2. Your child's medicines.

What happens during the procedure?

1. The substance your child is allergic to (allergen) will be injected under their skin.
2. At first, only a small amount of the allergen will be given. Over time, your child will be given more. The treatments will help your child's body stop reacting to the allergen.
3. Your child may start by getting shots 1–3 times a week for 3–6 months.
4. After that, they may get about one shot a month for life. In some cases, your child can stop getting shots after 3–5 years.

The procedure may vary among providers and hospitals.

What can my child expect after the procedure?

Your child will need to stay at the clinic for up to 30 minutes. They will be checked to make sure they do not have serious side effects from the treatment.

The most common side effects are mild redness, itching, and swelling at the spot where your child got the allergy shot. These effects should go away on their own.

The shots will start to work right away. But it may be 3–12 months before your child's symptoms get better.

Follow these instructions at home:

Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by the provider.

Keep all follow-up visits. The provider will track how your child's body responds to the shots.

Get help right away if:

Your child has symptoms of a systemic reaction. These include:

1. Coughing, trouble breathing, or making high-pitched whistling
2. sounds when your child breathes (wheezing).
3. Swelling of the throat.
4. Tightness in the chest.
5. Itchy, red, swollen areas of skin (hives) or a rash.
6. Itchy eyes, nose, or throat.
7. A runny or stuffy nose.
8. Nausea.
9. Dizziness.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get help right away.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.