Allergy testing and treatment — your questions, answered plainly

Some patients notice partial improvement within the first several months, but the full course — which commonly runs several years for either drops or shots — is what gives the best chance of lasting benefit after treatment stops. It's a long-term commitment, not a quick fix, and that timeline is worth planning for before you start.

Shots involve a brief injection, similar to a routine vaccine. Early on (the build-up phase) they're typically given once or twice a week; once you reach an effective maintenance dose, that usually spaces out to about once a month. Each shot is followed by a short observation period in the office as a standard safety precaution.

Often, yes. Drops are taken under the tongue at home after your first, observed dose in the office, so day-to-day treatment doesn't involve a needle at all. Many patients — and parents treating a child's allergies — choose drops specifically for that reason.

Yes, both skin prick and blood testing can be used in children; which one fits best depends on age, skin condition, and how many allergens need to be checked. We'll walk through it with you at the visit.

Coverage varies by plan for both testing and immunotherapy. Our office can help you understand what your specific plan covers before anything is scheduled — ask us when you call.

For skin prick testing, certain medications — antihistamines in particular — need to be paused beforehand because they can suppress a true reaction. We'll tell you exactly which medications and how long before your visit. Blood testing doesn't require this.

Both can test and treat allergic rhinitis. An ENT is especially useful when allergy symptoms overlap with sinus, nasal, or ear problems that may need evaluation at the same time — which is often the case for patients who come to us.

That's common — you can't avoid pollen or, realistically, always avoid dust mites. For allergens that are hard or impossible to avoid entirely, medication and immunotherapy are the two paths that address ongoing exposure, and we'll talk through which fits your situation.

You can, but stopping early is one of the most common reasons the benefit doesn't last. The multi-year course isn't arbitrary — it reflects how long it takes the immune system to build a lasting response. If cost, time, or side effects become a concern partway through, talk to us before stopping so we can help you weigh the options.