- What does specific immunotherapy consist of?
- Who can do the treatment
- Who should not do the treatment
Specific immunotherapy consists of administering injections with allergens, in increasing doses, in order to reduce the sensitivity of the allergic person to these allergens.
Allergy is an overreaction of the immune system when the body is exposed to a substance that it understands is a harmful agent. That is why some people are allergic to animal hair or mites, for example, while others are not. The people who are most likely to suffer from allergies are those who have respiratory diseases like asthma, rhinitis or sinusitis.
Thus, specific immunotherapy is a good treatment option for people with allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, allergic reactions to insect bite venom or other IgE-mediated hypersensitivity diseases.
What does specific immunotherapy consist of?
The allergy vaccine must be produced for each person, individually. It can be applied as an injection or as drops under the tongue and contains increasing amounts of the allergen.
Allergens to be used in specific immunotherapy should be selected based on allergic tests, which allow a qualitative and quantitative assessment of allergies. The doctor may order tests such as an allergic skin reaction test, a blood test called REST or Immunocap to find out exactly what the allergens are for that person. Find out how this test is performed.
The initial dose should be adapted to the person's sensitivity and then the doses should be progressively increased and administered at regular intervals, until a maintenance dose is reached.
The treatment time can vary from one person to another, because the treatment is individualized. These injections are generally well tolerated and do not produce major side effects, and in some cases skin rash and redness may occur.
Who can do the treatment
Immunotherapy is indicated for people who suffer from exaggerated allergic reactions that can be controlled. The people most suitable for this type of treatment are those who have respiratory allergies such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, latex allergy, food allergies or reactions to insect bites, for example.
Who should not do the treatment
Treatment should not be performed in people with corticosteroid-dependent asthma, severe atopic dermatitis, pregnant women, the elderly under 2 years of age and the elderly.
In addition, it is also not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases, severe psychological disorders, who use adrenergic beta-blockers, with allergic disease not mediated by IgE and risk conditions for the use of epinephrine.
Possible adverse reactions
Some of the effects that can occur during immunotherapy treatment, especially 30 minutes after receiving the injections are erythema, swelling and itching at the injection site, sneezing, coughing, diffuse erythema, hives and difficulty breathing.
