1. 10 Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures
2. Pets and Allergies Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Allergies Quiz

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Allergy shots: These are given to some people who have persistent and disruptive allergy symptoms.

• The shots do not treat symptoms, but by altering the immune response they prevent future reactions. (This is referred to as immunotherapy.)



• Treatment involves a series of shots, each containing a slightly greater amount of the antigen(s) that cause the reaction.



• The shots are administered every two to four weeks for two to five years.



• Ideally, the person will become "desensitized" to the antigen(s) over time.



• The effectiveness of shots varies by individual.

Probiotics: There have been studies that have looked into the use of probiotics (live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the body) to treat allergies, particularly atopic dermatitis in infants. Results of a recent meta-analysis were mixed, and their effectiveness has not yet been proven. More study is needed about the role of probiotics in the management of allergic reactions.

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