Various Immunotherapy, Injections to Treat Allergies
Immunotherapy for the treatment of allergies (better known as "allergy injections"), is a drug that works by training the immune system to stop excessive reactions to certain allergens. This treatment basically presents allergens in the immune system frequently, and in small enough amounts, so they can adapt. This process, also called desensitization, is based on the observation that sometimes the immune system can "learn" to at least decrease a reaction, or even ignore it, the response to allergens.
This type of treatment is usually carried out under the care of specialist allergists and immunologists, starting with identifying certain allergens that react to the patient. Allergy sufferers include people with seasonal allergies, permanent allergies, and insect poison allergies. Some patients who are allergic to insect poisons (such as bee stings) may need immunotherapy to reduce the risk of serious, life-threatening reactions. There are no allergy shots for food allergies.
How to determine allergies
There are two methods used to identify triggers for patient allergies. The first involves injecting the skin of the back or arms with a diluted solution, which contains various common allergic proteins, such as tree pollen, bacteria, dust mites, and others. The patient's skin is observed for a few moments and evaluated for any visible reaction, such as redness and swelling. The doctor will check the size and other characteristics of each lump that arises, gathering information about the patient's immune response to certain allergens.
The second method involves a blood scan and directly determines the antibodies that react to certain allergens in the blood.
Starting immunotherapy
After determining the allergen from the allergic patient and how serious the reaction is, the doctor will inject a very dilute solution containing a small amount of the allergen to attack. A small amount of this solution is then injected under the outer layer of the skin, usually in the arm, and the patient is monitored for at least 30 minutes to ensure that he will not suffer an adverse reaction.
In some cases, swelling or redness can develop at the injection site. Patients may experience a systemic reaction, but it rarely happens. This might involve hives, chest tightness, or wheezing. The most severe conditions, allergic reactions can cause a condition called anaphylactic shock. This may involve serious constriction of the airways which causes shortness of breath and must be countered by adrenaline injections.
After the doctor is sure that the patient will not react to this injection, the patient is stopped until the next injection is scheduled. Over time, the number of allergens gradually increases with the hope that the patient's immune system will eventually build a tolerance to them, basically "learning" is done not with an actual allergen attack and therefore does not guarantee a strong immune response.
Initially, injections are usually given 1-3 times per week, for three to six months. After this enters the development phase, where the number of allergens gradually increases, the maintenance phase begins. During maintenance, it can last for five years or more, patients receive maintenance doses once a month.
Subcutaneous and sublingual
Allergy desensitization therapy using injections under the skin has long been carried out for almost 100 years. A new method in which less risky therapies using allergens are placed under the tongue. This treatment method, in medical terms known as sublingual immunotherapy, is an alternative to injections given under the skin (subcutaneous immunotherapy). This gradually increased in popularity, at least in Europe and elsewhere throughout the world. Probably less likely to cause systemic reactions from subcutaneous immunotherapy.
Is this treatment effective?
Regardless of how the treatment is done, are allergen-specific immunotherapy effective? The answer is yes. Almost always, actually. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, this therapy is "very effective" against allergic rhinitis and can help prevent allergies caused by asthma as well. This is the only treatment that treats allergens, not symptoms.
