Introduction
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is a therapeutic procedure where the disease is modified to treat several environmental allergies. Allergy shots are a type of allergen immunotherapy mechanism that is considered best for allergy treatment. It is found to be effective for seasonal allergies such as allergic rhinitis and allergic rhino conjunctivitis (itching, nasal discharge, and sneezing). It can also be used to treat allergic asthma and Hymenoptera venom allergy (a fatal allergic reaction after a honeybee or an ant sting). Repetitive subcutaneous injections that are of increasing quantities of the allergen are given during the allergy shot immunotherapy. The therapy begins with giving very small doses of allergen followed by slowly increasing the doses. Sublingual (under the tongue) administration of dissolvable tablets is another popular method of allergen immunotherapy.
What Is Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergen immunotherapy is a form of treatment that modifies the pathway of how the immune system of the host’s body reacts differently to environmental allergens. The patient is exposed over a period of a few years to controlled, small, increasing allergen dosages. This leads to tolerance build-up to the common allergens. This procedure helps to reduce and gradually eliminate allergy symptoms.
This procedure comprises regular administration of increasing allergen extracts in the form of doses over a certain period of time. Immunotherapy is performed in patients in the form of injections or as sublingual tablets. The mechanism of this technique involves switching off the allergic reaction. At the end of the treatment, the host may become resistant to the common allergens and will be able to resist tolerating the allergens with minor or no symptoms.
However, allergen immunotherapy is not an overnight treatment therapy. It requires a commitment of approximately four to five years for the treatment to function properly. The patient should cooperate with his healthcare provider.
What Is the Mechanism of Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy functions in the host’s body by the gradual introduction of increased doses of the allergen into his immune system. The procedure is done on a regular basis until a stage of sustainability is achieved. However, the tolerance for the allergen and the success of the procedure varies among individuals.
Which Allergies Can Be Treated with Allergy Immunotherapy?
Various environmental allergies can be managed with allergen immunotherapy procedures. In fact, food allergy immunotherapy has now become available for peanut allergy sufferers.
Environmental Allergy Immunotherapy:
Some of the environmental allergens for which immunotherapy can be used include:
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Pollen grain allergies.
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Grass allergies.
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Allergy to mold.
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Allergy to animal dander or pet allergies.
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Allergy to dust mites.
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Allergy to cockroaches.
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Allergy to honey bees or ants.
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Hay fever.
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Eczema.
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Asthma.
Food Allergy Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy is now available for peanut allergy sufferers. Food allergen immunotherapy helps build up resistance to minute quantities of a food allergen.
What Types of Allergy Immunotherapy for Environmental Allergies Are Available?
Two types of allergy immunotherapy are available in the healthcare system. These include:
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Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy).
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Sublingual immunotherapy (under-the-tongue tablets).
What Are Allergy Shots?
The other name for allergy shots is subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Allergy shots are the most commonly used form of immunotherapy. They are useful for treating environmental allergies. Several varieties of allergens are taken and combined in one injection and given to the patient. This helps develop tolerance to several environmental allergens at once.
Allergy shots are administered at the clinician’s office once or twice in a week for six to 12 months. The dosage of allergen extract in the injections is increased till the maintenance dose is achieved. The frequency of giving the allergy shots decreases once the patient starts responding well to the therapy.
Are There Any Complications Associated With Allergy Shots?
The complications related to allergy shots are uncommon. Rarely, serious allergic reactions can take place. However, the clinician’s office should be well-equipped with epinephrine injectors when the procedure is conducted. The epinephrine auto-injector should be administered in case of a serious anaphylactic reaction. The patient should be under observation for the next half an hour.
Some of the anaphylaxis symptoms include dyspnea (difficulty breathing), tightness in the throat, urticaria, swelling, nausea, vomiting, lack of consciousness, loose motions, or pain in the abdomen.
What Is Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?
Sublingual immunotherapy tablets are used to treat grass pollen, ragweed allergy, and house dust mites. Each tablet will cover only one type of allergen. They are usually placed under the tongue for quick action. On the other hand, allergy shots can treat multiple allergens at once.
The first dose of SLIT is always given in the clinician’s office. After the first administration, the tablets can be taken by the patients at home.
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Patients suffering from grass pollen and ragweed allergy should start consuming SLIT tablets 4 to 12 months prior to the beginning of the pollen grain season. The tablets should be taken throughout the pollen season for best potency.
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Patients having house dust mites allergy should take the SLIT tablets year-round. To observe the efficacy, it is recommended that the SLIT tablets should be taken for 7 to 14 weeks daily.
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The SLIT tablets are indicated for patients between the age group of 18 to 56 years.
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The SLIT tablets are administered at home by placing the tablet sublingually (under the tongue). After eating the tablet, no food or drinks should be taken for 10 to 30 minutes.
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It is important to wash hands after taking the tablet since it is highly allergenic.
Conclusion:
Allergy immunotherapy is a process of desensitization or hypo sensitization. The technique is used to prevent the occurrence of allergies by treating them with increasing doses of allergens. The immunotherapy process is usually safe and potent and can be used in adults and children up to five years of age. Rarely, anaphylaxis can occur. In those cases, epinephrine auto injections are administered to the patient. The process should be carried out at the healthcare provider’s clinic, followed by a strict observation for about 30 minutes. Attempts are made to modify the immune system of the patient by this procedure.
