Allergy Services

Allergy Injections

University Health Services provides allergy care to eligible Penn State students. To obtain allergy care, students must be under the care of a University Health Services clinician. Students can establish care at any time by scheduling an initial appointment. In addition, there are two agreements that must be completed and signed prior to receiving allergy injections at University Health Services.

Note: UHS  will not administer allergy injections if you have had two or more systemic reactions. 

• Student Agreement for Allergy Immunotherapy Administration (pdf)
  Complete and sign the Student Agreement for Allergy Immunotherapy Administration and return during your first appointment, or by fax to the UHS allergy nurse at 814-863-3511
• Referring Allergist Agreement (pdf)
  Print and take the Referring Allergist Agreement  to your allergist to complete. Return prior to your first appointment by fax to the UHS allergy nurse at 814-863-3511

Allergy Extracts

Personal allergy extracts prescribed by a student's hometown health care provider that have specific written physician's orders and are provided by the student may be refrigerated in the allergy injection room at the Student Health Center. These injections may be administered by a registered nurse under the direction of the student's personal allergist.

Information accompanying allergy extracts from the student's allergy doctor must include all of the following:

• Concentration
• Vial contents
• Frequency of injections
• Expiration date of extract
• Late or missed injection directions
• Local reaction instructions 

University Health Services will not administer injections from inadequately labeled vials or if physician instructions are missing or incomplete. University Health Services does not complete agreement forms from referring allergists.

Allergy Clinic Student Responsibilities

1. You must establish care with a University Health Services clinician before receiving your first allergy injection.
2. University Health Services does not initiate treatment. For your safety, you must receive your first allergy injection at your allergist's office. University Health Services will administer subsequent injections.
3. You will receive a secure message when all the required paperwork and allergy extract are received and checked in. Do not schedule an allergy injection appointment until you receive this message.
4. You must check in through the kiosk every time you visit the Allergy Clinic. You must provide photo ID. The nurse in the Allergy Clinic will review the medical record.
5. We will not administer injections from inadequately labeled vials or if physician instructions are missing or incomplete.
6. The student is responsible for reading and understanding the Allergy Desensitization Policy. University Health Services nursing staff is happy to answer any questions about the policy.
7. Keep your extracts refrigerated as continuously as possible.
8. Take a copy of your injection instructions and record sheet with you when receiving injections elsewhere. It is your responsibility to ensure that the health professional who administers your injections records the appropriate information accurately. This includes date, dosage, site, reaction, and signature. This prevents delays or setbacks in receiving your next injection when you return to University Health Services. University Health Services can fax your current allergy record sheet to your allergist. You are responsible for following up with your allergist regarding new extract orders.
9. Remember to inform the nurse:
   1. If you had a delayed reaction to your allergy injection.
   2. If you are presently ill or have seen a clinician within the past week.
   3. Are taking any new medications.
   4. Are experiencing any new or increased allergy symptoms.
10. Any new orders must be faxed to 814-863-3511. No verbal orders from allergists will be accepted.
11. New extract may be shipped directly to:
    1. University Health Services Attn: Allergy Clinic 351 Student Health Center University Park, PA 16802
    2. We will not accept allergy extracts on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. We are not responsible for the integrity of the extract due to handling before we receive the extract or for loss or compromise of integrity due to power outage, storage equipment failure, or catastrophic event.
12. We will assist you when new allergy extract is needed; however, it is your responsibility to call your allergist’s office. You will be notified by secure message when your new allergy extract has arrived at the Allergy Clinic.
13. If extract is taken by the student to receive an injection over a break, the student must return with injections documented by the allergy office.
14. If your allergist requires a peak flow, please bring your own peak flow monitor. University Health Services does offer peak flows for sale if needed.

Allergy Desensitization Instructions

1. Avoid rubbing or scratching the arms after injections.
2. Avoid vigorous exercise before and after injections such as jogging, vigorous walking, gym workouts, etc., for at least 2 – 4 hours.
3. Bring an antihistamine medication (as recommended by your allergist) with you when coming for an injection as a safety precaution (see #6).
4. You MUST have injection sites checked by a nurse 30 minutes after injection. There are no exceptions to this policy. You must remain inside the Student Health Center during your 30-minute wait.
5. While waiting to have the injection checked, please notify the nurse if you experience any of the following:
   1. Runny nose
   2. Itching
   3. Shortness of breath
   4. Nasal congestion
   5. Wheezing
   6. Flushing
   7. Facial swelling
   8. Sneezing
   9. Hives
   10. "Pins & Needles" sensation of the skin
   11. Coughing
   12. Anxiety
6. Although you may not experience any local reaction within the 30 minutes after the injection, it is possible to react later in the day. If a local reaction occurs:
   1. Take an antihistamine.
   2. Apply ice and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
   3. Record the time and size of the reaction and how long it lasts. Report this to the nurse BEFORE receiving additional injections. If your symptoms continue or worsen:
      1. Use an Epi-pen as directed by your allergist. Allergy Clinic Room 351 Student Health Center University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-865-6556 Fax: 814-863-3511
      2. Use over-the-counter oral diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl) as directed on the label.
      3. Call 911 or go directly to Mount Nittany Medical Center.
7. Allergy injections will never be given without a physician presence in the facility. This is for your safety.
8. Certain prescription medications for eye problems, headaches, depression, and blood pressure problems contain Beta Blockers, MAO Inhibitors, or ACE Inhibitors. These medications can increase the sensitivity to allergens and also potentiate anaphylaxis. If you have been prescribed any such medication, it is IMPERATIVE you inform the nurse BEFORE RECEIVING ANY ALLERGY INJECTIONS. University Health Services DOES NOT administer allergy injections to patients taking these medications.
9. If you become pregnant, please inform the allergy nurse prior to your next allergy injections. Also, notify your allergist's office immediately. University Health Services does not administer allergy injections to pregnant patients.
10. If you discontinue the treatment or fail to appear for treatment for a period of sixty days, no injections will be given. You will be responsible for taking your extract and written orders back to your allergist.

Fragrance Allergies

Please let the reception staff know if you suffer from a fragrance allergy. The Student Health Center is a fragrance-free zone.