My allergist finally won me over, and this month I started allergy shots to control my asthma. It wasn't an easy decision. Allergy shots are a huge commitment -- once or twice a week for three months, once a month for up to five years. It wasn't a decision I took lightly and I spent weeks on the web looking for research to help me understand the issue. I found that early research that studied the link between immunotherapy and allergic asthma wasn't always conclusive, but that more recently the AAAAI has determined that allergy shots can reduce symptoms and the need for medication. Relief of symptoms isn't a sure thing, but I'm hopeful that they'll help me.

Not everyone who has allergies or allergic asthma needs allergy shots, but if you have trouble controlling your symptoms even with proper dosage of medication, have year-round allergies to things that are hard to avoid, or have a child with allergic rhinitis, it's worth discussing immunotherapy with your doctor.