Allergy Treatments

Discover a Treatment Option that Works for You

Our team provides personalized treatment options to manage your specific allergy condition. Effective solutions for allergy relief typically include a combination of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medicine (oral or injection) and avoiding — or minimizing — your exposure to allergens that cause a reaction.

Medications

Many people can control the symptoms of environmental allergies with medication. There are a number of different medications that can be used, including oral tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops and biologics. Your provider will work with you to find the best treatment plan to control your symptoms.

Managing Environmental Allergies

Limiting your exposure to allergens is your best defense against them. However, depending on the type of allergy you have, it may not be possible to completely avoid all allergens, such as pollen, that cause your reactions.

Even with airborne allergens, however, it is possible to reduce your exposure. You can use air conditioning rather than opening windows, for example. You can avoid outdoor activities during the peak season for your specific allergens.

Dust mite allergies can be challenging but there are many things you can do in your home to minimize exposure. Your allergy care team can give you information on specific strategies that will help.

Allergy Injections

What is Allergy Immunotherapy?

Allergy immunotherapy (commonly referred to as "allergy shots") is a therapy that can increase your immunity to the environmental allergens that trigger symptoms.  Gradually increasing doses of allergen are given based on a specific protocol. The injections are more frequent in the beginning and then space out over time. 

Eventually as the immune system starts to respond, patients notice fewer symptoms. Oftentimes they need less medication as well. Most patients do remarkably well with this therapy.

Allergy immunotherapy can help patients with environmental allergies and asthma. Those who are allergic to stinging insects, such as bees or wasps, can reduce the risk of severe reactions through venom immunotherapy.

How Do Allergy Shots Work?

Allergy immunotherapy works similar to a vaccine. You are exposed to small, injected amounts of a particular allergen in gradually increasing doses. Your body builds up immunity to that allergen or allergens. When you are exposed to these allergens in the future, you have a reduced allergic response and fewer symptoms.

Allergy injections are best for people when:

• Allergy symptoms are moderate to severe
• Symptoms occur throughout most of the year
• Symptoms are not controlled with oral medications
• Symptoms are triggered by allergens that are hard to avoid, such as pollen, animals or dust mites
• Symptoms are caused by stinging insects

Please call 781-744-8442 to learn specific days and times you can get allergy shots at our locations in Burlington and in Peabody.