Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops: Which is Right for You?

If you dread going outside in spring, wake up with a stuffy nose every morning, or find yourself reaching for antihistamines almost every day, you already know how much allergies can wear you down. The sneezing, the itchy eyes, and the foggy-headed feeling are exhausting to manage, and medication only does so much. 

According to the CDC, approximately one in three adults and children has seasonal allergies. This means millions of people are stuck in the same cycle of temporary relief and returning symptoms. The good news is that two long-term allergy treatments exist that go beyond masking those symptoms: allergy shots and allergy drops. 

Unlike daily medications that simply reduce allergy symptoms, both of these treatments work by gradually retraining your immune system to stop overreacting to the things that trigger you in the first place. However, each treatment works differently and fits different lifestyles. 

Continue reading to learn how each treatment works, what the pros and cons are, how to figure out which one makes the most sense for your life, and where to find the best allergy doctor in Los Angeles to oversee your allergy treatment.

How Allergy Shots Work

Allergy shots, also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy, or SCIT, have been around for more than 100 years, and they remain the most well-studied form of allergy treatment available today. They work by injecting a gradually increasing dose of an allergen extract. This causes the immune system to build up a tolerance to that allergen and slows down the production of the IgE antibody, which is the one responsible for triggering your allergy symptoms. 

Treatment usually follows two phases: 

• The build-up phase starts with a low-dose injection and gradually works up to a higher dose over six to ten months, depending on how often you come in and how well your body responds. 
• Once you reach your effective therapeutic dose, you enter the maintenance phase, where shots are spaced out every three to four weeks and continue for three to five years. 

Allergy shots are considered the gold standard for allergy desensitization and have demonstrated sustained, long-term benefits in most patients. Often, the results last for years beyond the end of the treatment period itself.

How Allergy Drops Work

Allergy drops, also called sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT, work on the same basic principle as allergy shots, exposing your immune system to small, controlled amounts of an allergen so it gradually stops overreacting. However, the delivery method is completely different. Instead of an injection, allergy drops are placed under the tongue, where they absorb directly into the bloodstream. 

The drops are typically taken once or twice a day at home and can treat multiple allergens at the same time. That convenience is one of the biggest reasons people choose them. For people who want an at-home allergy treatment, sublingual allergy drops can be a much easier fit. Most patients check in with the best allergy doctor in Los Angeles a few times a year to review progress, but the day-to-day treatment happens entirely on their own schedule.

Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops: Which Allergy Treatment Works Better?

This is the question most people want answered first, and the honest answer is: both work. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that SCIT and SLIT show similar overall effectiveness in reducing allergy and asthma symptoms and in decreasing the need for daily allergy medications. So if your main goal is feeling better, either path can get you there. That said, one of the strongest arguments for allergy shots is the potential to develop lifelong tolerance after completing a four-to-five-year course. This is a long-term outcome that has not yet been demonstrated with allergy drops.

How to Choose the Best Allergy Treatment for Your Symptoms and Lifestyle

The best allergy treatment is the one that fits your body, your schedule, and your life. A few key questions can help point you in the right direction include: 

• Are your allergies severe?
• Do you have multiple different allergies?
• Do you want long-term allergy relief? 

If your allergies are primarily environmental, like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, and your biggest concern is fitting treatment into a busy life, drops may be a better fit. Shots tend to provide faster relief but require going to an allergy clinic regularly. 

Ultimately, the most important step is sitting down with a board-certified allergist who can evaluate your specific sensitivities, health history, and daily routine to recommend the most effective and realistic path forward. 

Where to Find the Best Allergy Doctor in Los Angeles for Allergy Drops and Allergy Shots

Having allergies doesn't mean you need to battle symptoms forever. Both allergy shots and allergy drops are proven paths to long-term allergy relief. Finding the right one for you depends on your needs and lifestyle, but working with the best allergy doctor in Los Angeles can take the guesswork out of choosing the right treatment.

At our conveniently located offices in Santa Monica and Torrance, Dr. Daneshrad and his team work directly with patients all across Los Angeles to find the most effective immunotherapy plan for their specific allergies. We understand that getting the diagnosis right is just as important as choosing the right treatment.