Why may I need allergy shots for allergic rhinitis?

Allergy shots can reduce your reaction to allergens, which can result in fewer or less severe symptoms. They may also prevent children who have allergic rhinitis from getting asthma. Recommendations on when to get allergy shots vary, but in general you and your doctor may consider them when:

• Allergy symptoms are severe enough that the benefit from the shots outweighs the expense and the time spent getting the shots.
• You are allergic to only a few substances, and they are hard to avoid.
• Avoiding allergens and using medicine do not control symptoms, or you have to take medicine all the time to control symptoms.
• Side effects of medicines are a problem.
• You want a treatment for the cause of your allergy, rather than treatment for just the symptoms.
• You have another condition that is being affected by allergic rhinitis, such as asthma.
• You want to lower the chance that you will develop asthma.