What are Allergies & Immunotherapy?
Depending on the type of allergy you have, you can train your body to become less allergic. Allergies are a condition experienced when the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitization or hypo-sensitization, is a preventive treatment for allergic reactions to environmental substances. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, probably by causing production of a "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substance is encountered in the future. The intended outcome is to decrease noticeable allergic reaction symptoms through allergen exposure, overtime.
Depending on the type of allergy you have, you can train your body to become less allergic. Allergies are a condition experienced when the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitization or hypo-sensitization, is a preventive treatment for allergic reactions to environmental substances. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, probably by causing production of a "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substance is encountered in the future. The intended outcome is to decrease noticeable allergic reaction symptoms through allergen exposure, overtime.
Immunotherapy Overview
Allergy shots work like a vaccine. Your body responds to injected amounts of a particular allergen, given in gradually increasing doses, by developing immunity or tolerance to the allergen.
Allergen immunotherapy has two phases:
Allergy shots work like a vaccine. Your body responds to injected amounts of a particular allergen, given in gradually increasing doses, by developing immunity or tolerance to the allergen.
Allergen immunotherapy has two phases:
- Build-Up- Prescription dose and concentration gradually increase
- Maintenance- Effective therapeutic dose maintained over a period of time
How Effective Are Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots have shown to decrease symptoms of many allergies. It can prevent the development of new allergies, and in children it can prevent the progression of allergic disease from allergic rhinitis to asthma. The effectiveness of allergy shots appears to be related to the length of the treatment program as well as the dose of the allergen.
Allergy shots may be a good treatment choice for you if…
Allergy shots have shown to decrease symptoms of many allergies. It can prevent the development of new allergies, and in children it can prevent the progression of allergic disease from allergic rhinitis to asthma. The effectiveness of allergy shots appears to be related to the length of the treatment program as well as the dose of the allergen.
Allergy shots may be a good treatment choice for you if…
- Allergy medications don't control your symptoms, and you can't avoid the things that cause your allergic reactions
- Allergy medications interact with other medications you need to take or cause bothersome side effects
- You want to reduce your long-term use of allergy medication
- You are allergy to things in your environment that limit enjoyment
