The first day of spring is March 20th, 2026. Many look forward to the blooming flowers and warmer temperatures of spring. Unfortunately, for the 20% of people in the U.S. with allergies, the season may also bring unpleasant symptoms.
There are a few effective forms of allergy treatments, including allergen avoidance, medication and immunotherapy. Because immunotherapy is a long-term commitment, people who only have seasonal allergies often wonder whether completing a three- to five-year treatment is worth it. Let’s take a look at what immunotherapy entails, which seasonal allergies it treats and why it’s well worth the commitment.
The Immunotherapy Process
Immunotherapy works by building up your resistance to an allergen. There are two phases to the process: the build-up phase and the maintenance phase. During the build-up phase, you’ll receive shots or tablets one to three times a week for up to six months. The strength of the shots or tablets will increase gradually during this phase. After six months, you’ll maintain the resistance with monthly shots. If you choose allergy tablets, you will need to continue taking the tablets every day.
How Long Does It Take To See Results?
While every case is different, you should see some symptom improvement during the first year and more noticeable improvement during the second year. By the time you reach the third year, you’ll be at a low risk for a bad allergic reaction.
Why is Immunotherapy a Good Treatment for Seasonal Allergies?
Even though allergens like tree, grass or weed pollen are seasonal, the severity of your reaction to them can make the spring, summer or fall months challenging.
Immunotherapy sets you up for a more pleasant allergy season year after year. With successful treatment, you can play fetch in the Lindenwood Nature Preserve with your dog, hike Indiana’s trails or even garden without worrying about a serious allergic reaction.
We can tailor your immunotherapy to fit your needs. In addition to pollen, allergy shots can minimize symptoms from dust mites, pet dander, mold and insect stings. Allergy tablets can treat both dust mites and seasonal allergies.
Starting Immunotherapy
If you’re interested in managing your seasonal allergies with immunotherapy, contact Ear, Nose and Throat Associates today. We’ll conduct an allergy test to pinpoint the allergens you react to and get you started on the path towards symptom reduction.