Allergy Injections
By: Elaine Sulkey, RN
August 2004
Allergy injections are
given in the Allergy Department located in the Internal Medicine
Department. Office hours are:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 1:30
pm – 4:50 pm
Wednesday -
1:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Thursday - 9:00
am – noon 1:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Friday - 9:00
am – noon 1:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Allergy injections are given on a schedule
per your Allergist. Injections are given once every week until
adjusted to the top dose, then at least once every four weeks
thereafter. While on injections, patients must wait a minimum
of 15 minutes after each injection to assure there are no adverse
reactions. Most common adverse reactions are redness, swelling,
and itching at the site of injection. More serious reactions,
though less common, could be shortness of breath, wheezing, itchy
throat and hives, for which the doctor would be called to attend,
and emergency care may be required.
There is always a potential for a reaction.
Therefore, it is imperative that the injection be given in a
physician’s office setting. The injection can be given
in your doctor’s office, but the Allergist that has seen
you and has done skin testing prescribes the actual serum. A
nurse administers the injection.
Points of concern:
- Injection given in the arm as a subcutaneous
(below the skin) injection.
- Wait at least 15 minutes after each injection.
The nurse must inspect your arm for any reaction before you
leave the office.
- No strenuous exercise for at least 1 hour
after injection.
- Serum requires refrigeration.
- You must have an injection at least every
4 weeks but more often if symptoms warrant. If longer than
4 weeks between shots, then the dosage must be adjusted to
a lower dose per your Allergist’s recommended schedule.
It is important to keep on your schedule to prevent aggravation
of allergy symptoms.
- The nurse in the Allergy Department will
re-order any new serum you may need.
- Any questions call the Allergy Department
at 393-2862 and ask for the Allergy Nurse.
- Alert the Allergy Nurse if you are on a
Beta Blocker medicine such as:
- Inderal (propranolol)
- Lopressor (metoprolol)
- Tenormin (atenolol)
- Corgard (nadolol)
- Children under age 16 must be accompanied
by a parent.
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