SUMMER 2019 ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY Offers Patients a "Shot" at Long-term Relief LAURA H. FISHER, MD, W Lancaster Family Allergy hen the school nurse signed my daughter's yearbook, "See you next year," after the child's numerous trips to her office in the springtime for itchy, swollen eyes, I knew it was time for allergy shots. My daughter had already tried numerous medications with minimal relief, and I did not want her to go on to develop asthma or more allergies. I knew that allergy shots would help to prevent those issues and give her respite from the pollen that was making her miserable so that she could remain an active outdoor girl and soccer player. Allergy immunotherapy-the official term and a better way of discussing the therapy in front of 7-year-olds rather than allergy "shots"-is very effective. It is a better long-term therapy for many patients and one of the only treatments that modifies the immune system rather than Continued on page 30 LANCASTER 29 PHYSICIAN