Chicago Immunotherapy
Allergy Shots, Cluster Immunotherapy, and Allergy Drops
Environmental allergies are a common and frustrating problem for millions of people in the Chicago area. Pumping yourself full of over-the-counter allergy meds is not an effective long-term strategy. On top of feeling congested and wheezy, you’re likely to drag yourself down with drowsiness and a cloudy head. In truth, it’s nearly impossible to avoid environmental allergens. That’s where immunotherapy comes in. Through in-office allergy testing, Dr. Rotskoff determines exactly what patients are allergic to and designs custom immunotherapy regimens.
Custom immunotherapy is the best way to permanently address chronic allergies in children and adults. Dr. Rotskoff provides state-of-the-art immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy) and allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy).
There are many options. Allergy shots work, but since working adults have little time Dr. Rotskoff can create a cluster immunotherapy plan to condense the treatment cycle. Allergy drops are another great option because they’re taken at home. Either way, we can likely create a permanent immunity from allergens.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunotherapy, 85 percent of patients with allergic rhinitis successfully reduce their allergy symptoms with immunotherapy.
When beginning allergy shots or allergy drops, you will be exposed to minute quantities of the allergens to which you are allergic. By slowly increasing the dose of the allergens, Dr. Rotskoff alters your immune response to allergens, making you less reactive to environmental allergies and pet allergies.
- Allergy shots – traditional allergy immunotherapy with weekly injections administered over a period of 3 to 5 years
- Cluster immunotherapy – traditional allergy shots clustered into multiple 2-hour appointments each week for a month, patients then return monthly for booster injections; immunotherapy achieved up to 3x faster than with traditional allergy shots
- Allergy drops – pain-free, shot-free allergy immunotherapy using custom blended drops; at-home daily treatment with in-office follow-up every 6 months; treatment duration comparable to allergy shots
Immunotherapy Benefits
- Reduced need for over-the-counter allergy medications
- Long-term modification of the immune response to environmental allergens
- Improved asthma control
- Decreased incidence of new environmental allergies
- Decreased likelihood of developing asthma
Allergy Shots vs. Allergy Drops
Allergy shots and allergy drops are both prove treatments for environmental allergies and pet allergies. Dr. Rotskoff will help you determine which form of immunotherapy best suits your age, lifestyle, and allergic status.
| Allergy Shots | Allergy Drops | |
| Begins with in-office allergy testing | ||
| FDA-approved allergen formulas | ||
| Allergy “cure” in 3-5 years | ||
| Targets all allergens at once | ||
| Available in accelerated, cluster immunotherapy | ||
| Full concentration at start for immediate improvement | ||
| Convenient, self-use at home | ||
| Doctor visits only 1-2x per year | ||
| Safe and easy for kids as young as 4-5 years |
Some insurance plans are more likely to provide coverage for allergy shots than allergy drops. Dr. Rotskoff will gladly help you research and coordinate this with your insurance provider.
