How Allergy Shots Work

Saturday August 14, 2010

Why would giving a person what they're allergic to actually help their allergy symptoms? While it sounds strange, this is exactly what's been accomplished by allergy shots over the past 100 years. Unlike homeopathic treatments, allergy shots acutally stimulate the immune system to stop making allergic antibodies against pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites — common triggers for allergy symptoms. The body treats allergy shots like a vaccine — more like getting a tetanus shot — which stimulates the production of "infection fighting" antibodies against allergens, turning off the allergic antibody production. Allergy shots also make a person more "tolerant" to their allergens. All of these immunologic changes result in the reduction or elimination of allergy symptoms.

By Daniel More, MD, Allergies Guide

Remedies for Allergies