Allergy & Asthma Specialty Services

Shots are given once or twice a week, each at a slightly higher dose. As a result, sensitivity is lowered with each injection. The only reason this is possible is because of the marvelous capacity of the immune system to adjust or adapt by producing protective antibodies.

Many other immune adjustments also take place, including the lowering of a troublesome antibody called IgE. One could consider IgE to be a "rogue" antibody, one which serves no purpose, but which is present in too large an amount in the allergic person. One can reach a "maintenance level" in about five months if they are able to get and tolerate the injections twice each week.

Afterwards, shots are given every two weeks for a time and then adjusted subsequently with longer intervals by your allergist when the desired effect has taken place. You should see the allergist yearly to decide to continue, when to modify the serum, and when to stop.

Are allergy shots safe?

One could worry about having an allergic reaction to the shot. After all, we are injecting a mixture of materials to which an allergy was just proven by skin testing. Some reactions take place but they are ordinarily minor. It is rare for a patient to experience anything more severe that local swelling and itching.

When those reactions do take place, your physician will be there to treat the reaction until it has resolved. Most reactions are the result of mistakes in injection of too large an amount. However, our nurses are very experienced and we have the greatest confidence in them. We appreciate the patient having "another set of eyes" to assure that they receive the proper dose.

Allergy Shots Management

Allergy shots therapy national recommendation is for 5 years. The dosages management are as follow:

1. Building phase:

Patients will be receiving shots twice a week for a period of 4 months.

2. Maintenance Phase:

Once patients achieve their Maintenance dose, (normally Vial # 5 Concentrate) Patients will be receiving shots twice a month for a period of 6 months then shots intervals will be every month for 5years.


Patients receiving allergy shot therapy will need to see theirs allergist for a follow up appointment every year. This visit usually is made when the patients vial # 5 expires or run out of solutions.

What is best for your?

Many will have responded to medications. However, most patients who come to our office have already failed to get relief from an excellent medical regimen.

Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) is the only treatment currently available that makes a patient less allergic. Its major drawback is that it is not convenient. However, if one can arrange their schedule to receive the injections on a regular basis, you will almost certainly enjoy a marked reduction in your allergies that usually lasts for many years.

Speak with Dr. Andrade, Dr. Brown, Dr. Song or our Head Nurse, Elisa Sukenick, R. N. for further information about immunotherapy. It is a long journey, but well worth the trip!

Allergy Tips:

House Dust

Many people suffer from allergies to house dust. This allergy can cause miserable nasal symptoms, but it can also cause asthma and eczema to be more severe.

The severe nasal stuffiness can also precipitate sinus infections. In 1964, two Dutch scientists discovered that a microscopic pest is the main component that causes allergies in house dust.

The scientific names of the two most common varieties and dermatophagoides farinae and dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The dust mite is not an insect, but is more closely related to spiders.

Unfortunately, these creatures tend to concentrate in the very places in which we spend most of our time, because their source of food is the tiny flakes of skin that we each produce every day. They are found in our own beds, blankets, pillows, carpeting and wherever house dust is found.

Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to reduce the impact of this invisible menace. The most important measures apply to places that you spend the most time.

Below are some steps you can take to reduce exposure :

1. Mite-proof casings around the pillow and mattress. A waterbed is a great substitute for the mattress casings.

2. Regular laundering of the blankets, preferably in hot water.

3. Remove carpet or use a HEPA vacuum.

4. HEPA or electrostatic filters often make a difference.

5. Room HEPA filters often makes a difference.

6. Minimize objects in the bedroom that can accumulate dust, such as stuffed toys, bookshelves, wall hangings, Venetian blinds, etc.

7. Dust mites thrive in moist, warm environments. In fact, their only source of water is the humidity in the air. A dehumidifier can help by keeping the relative humidity in your home at 40% - 50%.

Allergy & Asthma Specialty Services Ps

Animal Allergen

We are a nation of pet lovers. Our dogs and cats have successfully become an important part of society and many families.

Unfortunately, the development of an allergy to our fur-bearing friends is a common event. They are, at times, major offenders in causing severe asthma.

It appears the most allergic pet owners would rather suffer from their allergies and asthma than find new homes for their pets. Most are very fond of the family pet and others feel an obligation to the animal or to those who gave them the animal.

Below are a number of ways to reduce the impact of such allergies:

1. Keeping them outside.

2. Frequent bathing. Yes, most cats can be bathed, although some are more willing that others. For cats that won't tolerate bathing, stroking them with a moistened cloth can make a difference.

3. Keeping pets outside the bedroom.

4. Filtering the air in the home, just as you would do for dust mite allergies. Placing one strategically in the bedroom can compensate for pet proteins, which may drift into the room.

Allergy & Asthma Specialty Services Ps

Mold Allergies

Molds can be a problem both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor molds are actually more plentiful on warmer, dry days. Rain is necessary for their growth, but will also keep them from dissemination.

Mold sensitive persons often have more difficulty while doing yard work. Turning the soil, raking leaves, and even mowing the lawn will typically increase exposure to outdoor molds.

Use of a good filtration mask while doing such yard work often helps. An effort should be made to avoid large accumulations of lawn clippings and other vegetation such as leaves.

Indoor molds can also be an enormous problem. They often become a problem when faulty roofing or other building materials allow moisture to enter our homes. Leaky plumbing can also be a source of problems.

Crawl spaces and basements are particularly vulnerable to mold growth. A survey of the home should focus on areas of excessive moisture.

Besides repairing any leaks, one should assure proper ventilation of bathrooms, use dehumidifiers in chronically moist rooms, spray mold retardant materials onto surfaces that exhibit chronic mold growth, and use mold retardant paints such as Kilz. Household bleach or X-14 (available commercially) are especially able to kill mold and mold spores.

Allergy & Asthma Specialty Services Ps

Pollen Allergies

When outside, stay away from tall grass, weeds, and trees. While the pollen can travel many miles away, it will still be more concentrated in close proximity to the source.

Some have gone to the trouble of removing weeds and trees to which they are allergic from their property. This may reduce the overall exposure, but it is generally not enough in the most sensitive person.

Keeping windows and doors closed will reduce the interior pollen count. One practical compromise is to get a small portable air conditioner that can be rolled from room to room for cooling on the hottest days.

Sublingual Immunotherapy

Traditional method of allergy shots (immunotherapy) is given by a shot into the arm. This is a highly effective treatment for patients with airborne allergies. Allergy shots have been approved by the US FDA, Food and Drug Administration, and are widely used.

There is exciting research out of Europe for treatment of allergies called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This is a way of offering “allergy shots” by taking drops or tablets by mouth instead of the conventional allergy shot. SLIT, has shown to decrease time to get relief, maintain relief of allergies and reduce risk of side effects.

A lot of research is being conducted in the US to gather more data. Some research has shown benefit over the conventional allergy shot while some studies showed no benefit. There are many questions that need to be addressed before SLIT gets approved by FDA in the United States.

The doctors at Allergy & Asthma Specialty Service are excited about SLIT and its potential use for patients. Once there is better research on safety, efficacy and approved by the FDA, we will offer this treatment to our patients.

Allergy Class

1. The allergy class will last about two hours.
2. Pts. may bring their family members, and friends to the class.
3. The fee for the class is only $39.00. The fee will first be billed to pts. insurance. if insurance does not cover the fee, the the pt will be responsible to pay the fee.
4. To accomodate pts. from the Puyallup and Gig Harbor offices, all classes are held in the Lakewood WA Office.