Immunotherapy Specialist

Consultants in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Our Services Immunotherapy

Consultants in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology

Allergists & Immunologists located in Clark, NJ, Clifton, NJ & Garfield, NJ

Highly trained adult and pediatric allergists and immunologists Peter Benincasa, MD, and Richard E. Luka, MD, offer an integrative approach to asthma and allergy treatment. By utilizing immunotherapy, they treat a variety of conditions without drugs at Consultants in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology in Clark, Clifton, and Garfield, New Jersey. If you’re looking for expert allergists and immunologists who focus on immunotherapy, call or go online to book an appointment today.

Immunotherapy Q & A

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a well-established allergy treatment that’s been used for more than 100 years. This treatment is based on the concept that your immune system can become desensitized to specific substances that trigger allergic reactions by repeated exposure to small amounts of the substances themselves (dust mite, tree pollen, grass pollen, cat dander etc.)

At Consultants in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, Drs. Benincasa and Luka integrate immunotherapy into many treatment plans. While medications work only as long as you take them, immunotherapy can potentially provide long-lasting relief from allergy symptoms for years after you stop treatment.

What are the different types of immunotherapy?

Allergy shots are the most widely used and efficient type of immunotherapy. These shots change your immune system and help to prevent new allergies or asthma from developing. Allergy shots gradually introduce your immune system to tiny amounts of the allergen with the aim of training your body to stop reacting to it.

Another form of immunotherapy is allergy tablets or drops placed under the tongue. While tablets or drops relieve your symptoms by building an immune resistance to a particular allergen, they don’t prevent new allergies or asthma. Tablets only treat allergies to dust mite, ragweed and grass pollen.

What does immunotherapy treat?

Allergy shots provide long-term relief from several conditions, including:

  • Allergic asthma
  • Nasal and eye allergies
  • Insect sting allergies
  • Atopic dermatitis or eczema

Immunotherapy will continue to reduce allergy symptoms for several years after you discontinue treatment, making it a convenient and cost-effective option.

How do I know if immunotherapy is right for me?

The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for immunotherapy is to schedule an appointment at Consultants in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. Your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of immunotherapy and work with you to create an individualized treatment plan.

They may ask questions about:

  • The frequency and severity of allergy symptoms
  • Personal desire to avoid long-term medication use
  • How well avoiding triggers helps control symptoms

Immunotherapy requires more frequent injections during the first 3-6 months, so a willingness to make time for weekly office visits during that phase is essential.

What should I expect from immunotherapy treatment?

Immunotherapy treatment begins with a build-up phase. During the first several months, your doctor will administer allergy shots 1-2 times per week. The amount of allergen in the shots will gradually increase until you reach the target dose.

Then you will enter the maintenance phase, which will require injections every 4 weeks. The maintenance phase usually lasts 3-5 years.

To find out if immunotherapy is right for you, call or go online to book an appointment today.