Many adults in Houston assume allergies are something they have to live with. Persistent sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, sinus pressure, or asthma symptoms can feel like a regular part of life in a city with high pollen counts and year-round allergens.
However, for patients whose symptoms are not well controlled with medications alone, allergy shots may offer long-term relief. This treatment, also known as immunotherapy, is increasingly popular among adults seeking a more permanent solution to chronic allergies.
Why Adult Allergies Are Common in Houston
Houston’s warm climate, humidity, and extended allergy seasons create the perfect environment for allergens such as tree pollen, grass pollen, weeds, mold, and dust mites. Many adults develop allergies later in life or notice symptoms worsening over time due to repeated exposure.
For patients who rely on daily antihistamines, nasal sprays, or inhalers but still lack adequate relief, allergy shots for adults in Houston can be a practical next step in treatment.
What Are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that gradually trains your immune system to become less sensitive to allergens. Small, controlled doses of allergens are injected over time, allowing the body to build tolerance and reduce its allergic response.
Unlike medications that only manage symptoms, allergy shots work at the root cause of allergies. They are also able to treat a broad range of environmental allergens at once, including multiple pollens, mold, dust mites, and pet dander. For this reason, allergy shots remain the most comprehensive and commonly recommended adult allergy treatment option.
Allergy Shots vs. Sublingual Immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy includes both drops and tablets that are placed under the tongue. It is important to understand how they differ from allergy shots in terms of immunotherapy treatment.
Sublingual allergy drops are not approved by the FDA in the United States. In addition, the doses used in drops are considered subtherapeutic, meaning they are too low to consistently provide effective long-term desensitization.
Sublingual tablets, on the other hand, are FDA-approved and have been shown to be effective. However, they are only available for a limited number of allergens. While tablets can be a good option for some patients, they do not offer the flexibility or broad allergen coverage that allergy shots provide.
Although allergy shots treat more allergens and allow for customized treatment plans, some patients may be candidates for sublingual tablets depending on their specific allergy profile, lifestyle, and preferences. Your allergist can help determine the most appropriate option.
When Should Adults Consider Allergy Shots?
Adults may be good candidates for allergy shots if they experience:
- Moderate to severe allergy symptoms that persist year-round or seasonally
- Poor symptom control despite consistent medication use
- Side effects from allergy medications
- Allergies that trigger or worsen asthma symptoms
- A desire to reduce long-term medication dependence
Allergy shots are commonly recommended for environmental allergies such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander. Food allergies are typically managed differently and are not treated with traditional allergy shots.
Benefits of Immunotherapy for Adults
Choosing immunotherapy in Houston offers several benefits beyond symptom relief. Many patients experience fewer allergy flare-ups, improved sleep, increased productivity, and better overall quality of life.
Over time, allergy shots may also reduce the risk of developing new allergies and help prevent allergies from progressing into asthma. For adults with allergic asthma, immunotherapy can reduce asthma attacks and improve respiratory control.
Another advantage is long-term effectiveness. After completing a full course of allergy shots, many patients continue to experience relief even after treatment ends.
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment begins with comprehensive allergy testing to identify specific triggers. Once allergens are identified, a customized immunotherapy plan is created.
Allergy shots are administered in two phases:
- Build-up phase: Weekly injections with gradually increasing doses
- Maintenance phase: Injections every few weeks once the effective dose is reached
Appointments are quick, and patients are monitored briefly afterward for safety. Most adults tolerate allergy shots well and can continue normal daily activities.
Is Immunotherapy Right for You?
Not every adult with allergies needs immunotherapy, but for many patients, it can be life-changing. If allergies interfere with work, sleep, exercise, or outdoor activities, it may be time to explore long-term options.
At McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic, the board-certified allergists specialize in personalized adult allergy treatment plans. Their team helps patients throughout Houston determine whether allergy shots are the right solution and guide them through every step of immunotherapy, from the initial appointment to receiving regular shots.
If you’re ready to move beyond symptom management and address the cause of your allergies, talk to the allergy and asthma specialists at McGovern Allergy to get started.