Everything You Need To Know About Immunotherapy for Allergies

[Allergy West]

What is Immunotherapy?

Also known as desensitization or hypo-sensitization, Allergen immunotherapy is a medical treatment that aims at eliminating allergies such as insect bites and asthma. The treatment usually exposes the patient to larger amounts of allergen in an attempt to change the immune system's response. Basically, whatever kind of allergy you have, your body is trained through Immunotherapy for Allergies so that it becomes less allergic.

The therapy is prescribed to a patient who is dealing with allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies or hay fever). There are two kinds of methods the patient is exposed to, that is injections or rapidly dissolving tablets under the tongue. This treatment is the only way that can potentially cure or improve allergic diseases long-term. If a patient has nasal allergies then injectable immunotherapy for allergies might prevent him/her from developing asthma.

Effectiveness Of The Treatment

With immunotherapy, one can bring down allergic reactions to common allergens such as ragweed and grass. If you plan on taking Sublingual immunotherapy, it may decrease your sensitivity to allergens, resulting in improved symptoms and decreased need for medications. But an important thing the patient must remember is to take the sublingual pills daily basis, without fail. If you miss the daily dose, that may decrease the effectiveness of SLIT and increase the risk for medication-related side effects. Many patients take two pills the next time when they forget taking the medication. But that will do more harm than good so stick to one tablet daily as prescribed. If you miss the medication for five consecutive days, then you must contact your doctor. This is important because when you will reach out to a medical professional, you can restart the dose under their appropriate supervision. You can also take Food Allergy Skin Test to know whether you are allergic to any type of food or not.

For How Long The Medicines Are Given?

This is a common question asked by patients who are taking or planning to take SLIT medications. To find an answer to their question, they first must know that there are two phases to immunotherapy: an initial phase and a maintenance phase.

Initial Phase – in this, the treatment is started way before the pollen season starts for which you are being treated. You will take your first dose at the office of a medical professional and then observed for at least 30 minutes to ensure there is no allergic reaction arises in your body.

Maintenance Phase – in this phase, you will start taking your medications on a daily basis at your home. You will need to take the medicine until the pollen season starts. In certain cases, the physician also recommends the patient to take the medicine all year round.

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