Allergy Remedies

Immunotherapy

Try it when: Your quality of life is greatly affected by allergies, or you have asthma, which complicates allergies.

How it works: The only true cure, these shots contain small doses of an allergen so the body learns to react to it as a benign substance. A typical series is two to three weekly shots for about five months, then one monthly shot for three to five years. “Immunotherapy is up to 85 percent effective for inhalant allergens, like dust mites, mold, grass, trees, and pet dander,” says Sublett. “But it isn’t recommended for food allergies, because of the risk of a severe reaction.”

Good to know: You may be able to shorten the treatment time by getting more than one shot per visit.