Allergen Desensitization
Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is an effective vaccination program that increases
immunity to substances called allergens that trigger allergy symptoms. Allergen immunotherapy
involves administering gradually increasing amounts of an allergen to a patient over several months.
The injections are first given on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and when the maintenance level is
reached, eventually on a monthly basis. This process reduces symptoms that are otherwise triggered
by allergen exposure. This form is of treatment is the closest thing to a "cure" for allergic symptoms.
Immunotherapy treatment (allergy shots) is based on a century-old concept that the
immune system can be desensitized to specific allergens that trigger allergy symptoms.
These symptoms may be caused by allergic respiratory conditions such as allergic rhinitis
(hay fever) and asthma. While common allergy medications often control symptoms; if you
stop taking the medication(s),your allergy symptoms return shortly afterward. Allergy shots
can potentially lead to lasting remission of allergy symptoms, and it may play a preventive
role in terms of development of asthma and new allergies.
The Process
Treatment involves injecting the allergen(s), causing the allergy symptoms. These
allergens are identified by a combination of a medical evaluation performed by a
trained allergist/immunologist and allergy skin or allergy blood tests.
The treatment begins with a build-up phase. Injections containing increasing amounts of the allergens are given 1 to 2 times a week until the target dose is reached. This target dose varies from person to person. The target dose may be reached in 3 to 6 months with a conventional schedule (one dose increase per visit) but may be achieved in shorter period of time with less visits with accelerated schedules such as cluster that administers 2-3 dose increases per visit.
The maintenance phase begins when the target dose is reached. Once the maintenance dose is reached, the time between the allergy injections can be increased and generally range from every 2 to every 4 weeks. Maintenance immunotherapy treatment is generally continued for 3 to 5 years.
Some people have lasting remission of their allergy symptoms but others may relapse after discontinuing immunotherapy, so the duration of allergen immunotherapy varies from person to person. Risks involved with the immunotherapy approach are rare, but may include serious life threatening anaphylaxis. For that reason, immunotherapy should only be given under the supervision of a physician or qualified physician extender (nurse practitioner or physician assistant) in a facility equipped with proper staff and equipment to identify and treat adverse reactions to allergy injections.
The decision to begin immunotherapy will be based on several factors:
The treatment begins with a build-up phase. Injections containing increasing amounts of the allergens are given 1 to 2 times a week until the target dose is reached. This target dose varies from person to person. The target dose may be reached in 3 to 6 months with a conventional schedule (one dose increase per visit) but may be achieved in shorter period of time with less visits with accelerated schedules such as cluster that administers 2-3 dose increases per visit.
The maintenance phase begins when the target dose is reached. Once the maintenance dose is reached, the time between the allergy injections can be increased and generally range from every 2 to every 4 weeks. Maintenance immunotherapy treatment is generally continued for 3 to 5 years.
Some people have lasting remission of their allergy symptoms but others may relapse after discontinuing immunotherapy, so the duration of allergen immunotherapy varies from person to person. Risks involved with the immunotherapy approach are rare, but may include serious life threatening anaphylaxis. For that reason, immunotherapy should only be given under the supervision of a physician or qualified physician extender (nurse practitioner or physician assistant) in a facility equipped with proper staff and equipment to identify and treat adverse reactions to allergy injections.
The decision to begin immunotherapy will be based on several factors:
- Length of allergy season and severity of symptoms
- How well medications and avoiding allergens control allergy symptoms
- Desire to avoid long-term medication use Time.
