Immunotherapy For Allergies

Immunotherapy is a relatively new method of treating allergies in general

, and allergic rhinitis in particular. The method of treatment is usually turned to once other common treatments for chronic allergic rhinitis have failed (environmental control of allergens, antihistamines, decongestants, etc.).

Another reason for trying immunotherapy is suffering from the medications' adverse effects. Immunotherapy is performed by immunologists or "Allergy doctors".

In order to understand how this treatment works, first you must learn about the pathophysiology of the allergic reaction. The mechanism of action for allergens immunotherapy is not simple. It ultimately leads to increased production of an IgG-blocking antibody, a protein that can connect to a specific material (allergen) and deactivate it.

This deactivation causes decreased production of another immune-mediated antibody called IgE. This antibody is usually very active in allergic reactions, for its complex is the one that leads to a chain reaction of inflammatory cells and mediators. Allergic patients have therefore high levels of IgE in their blood (which can be measured when an allergic pathogenesis is suspected).

Immunotherapy basically exposes the body to high levels of the same allergen- for example in a patient allergic to dust mite, small amounts of dust mite will be injected to the patient during several following treatments. The patient's body's first reaction will be developing a full blown allergic reaction. The second and third time it will be directly exposed to the injected solution containing dust mites, the body will already be "used to" the allergen, so that the immune-mediated response will not be as bad.

This mechanism of action is referred to as desensitization. Desensitization to pollens, dust mites, cat and dog protein, bee sting is usually effective.

Because the possibility of an acute life threatening allergic reaction is possible during immunotherapy, this procedure is allowed to take place only with a physician's guidance. It is not rare that patients require treatment for an acute reaction, including cases of full blown anaphylactic shock. This is the reason why the patient is also required to sit and wait at the clinic for approximately 20-30 minutes after the allergen injection. Full blown allergic reaction usually takes less than 30 minutes to occur, and it's best to be at a safe location where professional treatment is possible in any case of anaphylactic shock.

Although immunotherapy presents overall encouraging results when compared to regular antihistamine treatments, there are several disadvantages to this treatment, the major one being the long length of treatment. Usually this type of treatment can last for months to years, with at least 12 sessions of injections. This is not a very convenient treatment for the patient and one must take that into consideration.

by: Maria Gonzales

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