Allergy immunotherapy is the medical term for allergy shots, which are an effective treatment to help you become less allergic.

The types of immunotherapy are:

• Conventional — Allergy shots are given to desensitize you to bothersome allergens. Patients are given increasing doses of allergens to build up immunity and decrease allergic reaction.
• Cluster — Allergy shots are given to treat your underlying allergies. Unlike conventional immunotherapy, cluster immunotherapy allows you to reach your maintenance dose over a period of weeks, rather than months, which allows you to experience the benefits of immunotherapy sooner.
• Venom — This method, also called VIT, can be 95% to 100% effective in preventing future reactions to stings and have no higher incidence of adverse reactions than inhalant allergen immunotherapy regardless of the type of schedule used to build up on therapy.

Given the high risk of repeated severe reactions, adults with any insect sting reaction other than localized should be assessed by an allergist and given the option of venom immunotherapy. Children are at slightly lower risk but also should be evaluated for any reaction that is systemic and not isolated to the skin alone.

Learn more about allergy shots.

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