Allergy immunotherapy is a widely used solution to allergies. It offers promising results, helping people from all walks of life find relief from irritating allergies. However, like any treatment, it isn’t free. Out-of-pocket costs can be steep, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before starting your program. So, let’s explore the differences between allergy shot costs versus other allergy treatments.
What Are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots are a type of allergy immunotherapy called subcutaneous immunotherapy. As the name implies, allergy shots are administered via injections. Each injection contains a small, incrementally increasing dose of the allergen, which slowly desensitizes your immune system to it.
To understand how it works, we need to understand the basics of an allergy. Simply put, an allergy is your immune system’s response to a foreign substance that it deems harmful (even if it isn’t). When your body is exposed to that allergy, your immune system leaps into action. Antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen, communicate with cells that release certain chemicals, causing the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction.
So, to help you find relief from those allergic symptoms, allergy shots focus on the allergy itself. The repeated exposure to the allergen gives your immune system the opportunity to build an allergen-specific tolerance. This process takes time, often requiring several years before significant results show.
Most folks begin to notice improvements within the first year, but the best results usually start to show in years two and three.
How Much Do Allergy Shots Cost?
Allergy shots can be expensive. Most folks pay between $1,000 and $4,000 per year per person for allergy shots. For many Americans, this out-of-pocket allergy shot cost is steep, especially on a tight budget. While health insurance may cover most of it, you may still be left to pay a copay for each visit plus whatever your deductible is.
Alternative Allergy Treatments
Allergy shots aren’t the only solution to allergies. There are all sorts of other allergy treatments out there, each offering different results. These treatments include:
Traditional Treatments
If you’ve dealt with allergies, you’re probably all too familiar with traditional treatments, including decongestants, antihistamines, and corticosteroids. These are common over-the-counter treatments, most available at grocery and drug stores, that are designed to help relieve allergic symptoms.
While they’re often incredibly affordable, usually featuring a price tag of $20 or less (depending on what you get), they don’t offer permanent relief. Instead, they’re a temporary fix to a long-term problem. Most of the treatments last anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, allowing you to find a precious bit of relief before the symptoms return (if you’re still exposed to the allergen).
So, while this option is more affordable, it’s not ideal for those seeking a long-term solution.
Natural Allergy Medicine
Some folks prefer a more natural approach to medicine, so it’s no surprise that there are multiple natural allergy medicines out there. In the years before treatments like antihistamines and decongestants, treatments like quercetin, probiotics, and butterbur were used.
Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in various plant foods, such as green teas and apples, and can help reduce allergy symptoms. Probiotics, found in foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and yogurt, may also reduce the severity of allergic symptoms. Butterbur, an herbal supplement, has historically been used to treat allergies, among other things.
Each of these natural allergy medicines is fairly affordable. The foods and supplements containing them are readily available at grocery, supplement, and drug stores, often for less than $10 (depending on what you get). However, like traditional allergy treatments, these medicines may only offer short-term relief.
Sublingual Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy shots aren’t the only type of allergy immunotherapy. There’s a second type called sublingual immunotherapy, which encompasses two types: allergy drops and tablets. While they come in the form of many traditional allergy treatments, allergy drops and tablets aren’t the same as those treatments.
Instead, they work much the same as allergy shots—they deliver a small, incrementally increasing dose of the allergen to your system, allowing your immune system to build an allergen-specific tolerance. Unfortunately, allergy drops can be pricey, sometimes more so than allergy shots.
Some programs can cost thousands of dollars per year, which isn’t feasible for many Americans. However, there are more affordable solutions out there. For example, some specialty telemedicine providers have partnered with compounding pharmacies, which means they can offer allergy drops for much more affordable prices. Sometimes, the costs are as low as $50 or less per month (plus applicable copays)!
On top of that, your insurance might even cover a portion of the treatment or related costs, such as necessary clinical consultations or allergy testing. This further reduces the price, making it more affordable and feasible for Americans with snug budgets.
Allergy Shots vs. Other Treatments: A Quick Overview
Choosing the right allergy treatment for your medical needs and budget can be tricky. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide on the right option:
|
Allergy Shots |
Traditional Treatments |
Natural Allergy Medicine |
Sublingual Immunotherapy | |
|
Cost |
$1,000 to $4,000 per year |
$20 or less (depending on the product) |
$10 or less (depending on the product) |
As little as $50 per month + copays |
|
Efficacy |
Great |
Good |
Varied |
Great |
|
Longevity of results |
Long-term |
24 hours or less |
Varied |
Long-term |
|
Suitable for |
All ages |
Depends on product |
Depends on product |
All ages |
Closing Thoughts
As you consider your allergy treatment options, remember to weigh the costs, effectiveness, and long-term benefits. Allergy shots offer a long-lasting solution by desensitizing the immune system to specific allergens over time, but they may involve higher initial costs and time commitment.
On the other hand, alternative treatments like over-the-counter medications and natural remedies provide short-term relief at lower costs but may not address the underlying allergy in the same way as immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy, while potentially more affordable than allergy shots with the right provider, also offers a promising alternative for those seeking effective long-term relief.
Ultimately, the best fit depends on you, your budget, and your medical needs. If you’re not sure, chat with your doctor or allergist for help finding a solution that fits your needs and budget
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