Allergy Shots & Immunotherapy in Columbia, Lexington, and the Midlands of SC
Lasting relief from allergies you can’t medicate away, done by Midlands’ board-certified ENT and allergy specialists.
Immunotherapy treats the cause of your symptoms, not just the flare-ups, so you can breathe easier season after season.
What Are Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)?
Allergy shots (clinically, subcutaneous immunotherapy) are a long-term treatment that gradually retrains your immune system to stop overreacting to the things you’re allergic to (like pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander). Instead of masking symptoms the way daily antihistamines do, immunotherapy builds real tolerance over time, so many patients need less medication and feel better year-round.
At SCENT, immunotherapy is part of a full allergy program that also includes allergy testing, pharmacotherapy, and advanced biologic therapies for tougher cases, so your plan is built around your triggers and how severe your symptoms are.
Is Immunotherapy Right For You?
Immunotherapy may be a good fit if:
- Allergy symptoms affect you for much of the year, or come back every season.
- Antihistamines, nasal sprays, or other medications aren’t controlling your symptoms, or you’d rather not rely on them long-term.
- Your allergies trigger sinus infections, asthma flare-ups, or trouble sleeping.
- You want lasting relief rather than day-to-day symptom control.
- You’ve had allergy testing that identified specific triggers (or you’re ready to start with testing).
The best way to know is a quick evaluation with an allergy specialist.
Book an appointment and we’ll review your history, conduct allergy testing where appropriate to confirm your triggers, and tell you whether immunotherapy may be right for you.
What To Expect: Your Allergy Shot Timeline
Immunotherapy works in two phases. Here’s the typical path, your specialist will tailor the exact schedule to you.
|
Phase |
What Happens |
Typical Frequency |
|
Build-up |
You receive shots with a gradually increasing dose so your immune system can adjust safely. |
Once per week. |
|
Maintenance |
Once you reach your effective dose, your provider will determine if and when your allergy plan and shot schedule can be adjusted. |
Once per week, tapering to once every 2-4 weeks, based on provider recommendation. |
Improvement is usually gradual. Some people notice a difference during the build-up phase, while others need more time, often several months, and some patients may need up to 12 months on their maintenance dose before they see improvement.
Because each visit includes a short in-office observation period after your shot, it helps to plan for a little extra time at each appointment.
Immunotherapy Options at SCENT
Standard (Subcutaneous) Allergy Shots
The most common form of immunotherapy, regular injections that build tolerance over time following the build-up and maintenance path above. A strong fit for environmental allergies like pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander.
Rush Immunotherapy
A faster build-up option that reaches your maintenance dose in a fraction of the usual time, so you feel relief sooner. Because doses are given closer together, rush immunotherapy is done under close supervision.. Ask whether you’re a candidate when building your personalized treatment plan with your provider. Rush Immunotherapy is only offered by Dr. Robert Puchalski.
When Immunotherapy Isn't the Right Fit
Biologics & Pharmacotherapy
For harder-to-control allergies and related conditions, our specialists also offer advanced biologic therapies and targeted medication plans. These aren't a form of immunotherapy, but they can be an effective alternative when allergy shots alone aren't the best path. If that's your situation, we'll build a combined plan that fits.
Testing Comes First
Effective immunotherapy starts with knowing exactly what you’re allergic to. Before shots begin, your specialist confirms your triggers with allergy testing, which may include skin (prick) testing, and RAST blood testing. Your results then shape the exact formula in your shots.
Learn more about allergy testing and treatment options.
What Does An Allergy Shot Visit Look Like?
Allergy shots are offered at all 10 locations during designated allergy shot hours. During these hours, no appointment is necessary. Simply come in, check in at the front desk, and receive your allergy shot from our clinical team. After your injection, patients are typically asked to remain in the lobby for 30 minutes so our staff can monitor for any adverse reactions and ensure your safety.
For added convenience, FastPass options may be available. Eligible patients can sign a waiver allowing them to leave immediately after receiving their allergy shots, eliminating the 30-minute wait and making immunotherapy a quick and easy part of their routine.
Please contact your preferred office for current allergy shot hours and FastPass eligibility.
Insurance, Cost & Referrals
Many insurance plans cover allergy testing and immunotherapy, though coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan. For current details, see our allergy testing and immunotherapy policies and insurance pricing guide (PDF).
Some plans require a referral before an allergy visit and some don’t. If you’re not sure, call our office and we’ll help you check.
Meet Your Allergy Specialists
Your care is led by board-certified ENTs and Fellows of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA), an ENT specialist who has completed advanced training in diagnosing and treating allergies. This includes physician leaders in the AAOA, such as Dr. Robert Puchalski, who serves as AAOA president.
Find the specialist who’s right for you.
Meet the Full Team10 Midlands Locations, With Same-Day Options
Get allergy care close to home. SCENT has 10 locations across the Midlands: Columbia (Downtown & Northeast), Irmo, Lexington, Lugoff, Orangeburg, Sumter, Chester, Winnsboro, and Hartsville. We offer same-day appointments at all locations.
Allergy shots are offered at all clinic locations during designated allergy shot hours, with no appointment necessary. Simply stop by during allergy shot clinic hours, check in, and our staff will assist you. For added convenience, Saturday allergy shot hours are available at our Columbia-Downtown office.
Walk-in clinic hours are available in Downtown Columbia, Orangeburg, Sumter, Irmo, Lexington, Lugoff, and Hartsville.
Choose the office nearest you to see clinic hours, allergy shot hours, walk-in clinic hours, directions, and phone numbers.
Start Your Allergy Relief Plan
You don’t have to keep managing allergies one bad day at a time. Talk with a SCENT allergy specialist about whether immunotherapy is right for you, and start building lasting relief.
Yes, for many people, immunotherapy provides lasting relief that medications can’t. By gradually building your tolerance to specific triggers, allergy shots can reduce how often and how severely you react, and many patients rely on less medication over time. Your specialist will tell you how likely they are to help in your case.
Most patients notice a difference within the first several months to a year, with the strongest benefit developing over the next couple of years. We’ll set clear expectations at your first visit.
After the build-up phase, most patients stay on monthly maintenance shots for a few years to make the relief last. Many continue to feel better even after finishing treatment.
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Most people find them very tolerable, the needle is small and the injection is just under the skin of the upper arm. A little redness or swelling at the site is normal.
Yes. Rush immunotherapy reaches your maintenance dose much sooner, under close supervision. Ask whether you’re a candidate.
Usually, yes. Testing identifies your exact triggers so your shots are made for you. Learn more about allergy testing, or book a visit and we’ll guide you.
Allergy immunotherapy can be an option for some children with confirmed allergies, depending on their age, symptoms, health history, and ability to follow the treatment schedule. SCENT cares for patients of all ages, and our specialists can help determine whether it's the right fit for your child.
Many plans cover testing and immunotherapy, and some require a referral while others don’t. See our policies and insurance pricing guide (PDF) or call the nearest office to confirm your coverage.
Medically Reviewed by Robert Puchalski, M.D., FAAOA
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Now Offering Same-Day Appointments at All 10 Locations. Walk-In Availability in Downtown Columbia, Orangeburg, Sumter, Irmo, Lexington, Lugoff, and Hartsville.
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