Hyposensitization: How useful is that?

hyposensitization
Does specific immunotherapy help against allergies?

Desensitization is used to treat allergies such as hay fever. We explain exactly how the procedure works and whether it helps.

What is hyposensitization?

Hyposensitization is intended to reduce the symptoms of allergies or at best, even prevented completely. The basic idea of ​​the therapy procedure is that the body gradually gets used to the allergen (e.g. pollen in hay fever) so that it no longer reacts to it. In the process, the skin is repeatedly exposed to the allergen. The dose is gradually increased. Colloquially, hyposensitization is also known as “allergy vaccination”.

Why is hyposensitization useful?

Unlike, for example, treatment with medication, in which hay fever symptoms or the symptoms of other allergies (e.g. insect venom allergy or house dust allergy) are only alleviated, hyposensitization is the only method that addresses the cause of the symptoms: Hypersensitivity to an allergen. Although the allergy as such cannot be eliminated by desensitization, the probability of allergic reactions is minimized. The life of those affected is significantly improved by fewer allergy symptoms – even if there is a cross-allergy.

How does the hyposensitization work?

As much as hyposensitization can bring – patients have to have a lot of patience for the treatment. In the initial treatment (boosting phase), the allergen extract is injected under the skin on a weekly basis. It is also called subcutaneous treatment. The administered dose is increased every week up to a defined maximum amount. If no side effects occur, you can switch from the escalation phase to the so-called maintenance therapy. In this, the doctor injects the maximum amount of the solution once a month.

The process usually runs for three years. However, there is also a so-called short-term therapy (“pre-seasonal” immunotherapy). Only the time before the pollen season is dealt with here – with at least three repetitions, which means that this procedure also takes three years. Insect venom allergy has a special status: the desensitization to this allergy takes five instead of three years.

By the way: There is another form of hyposensitization. In sublingual immune therapy, the allergen is placed under the tongue by the patient in the form of a drop or a tablet every day and swallowed after a while. However, this form of hyposensitization is not suitable for every allergy.

For whom is hyposensitization suitable?

Not all allergy sufferers can carry out hyposensitization. Therapy is useful if:

House dust allergy, neurodermatitis, latex allergy and Co.: When should I not carry out the treatment?

Vice versa there is also Cases when therapy cannot be used. These include:

Individually the doctor can make a decision as to whether hyposensitization makes sense. This also applies if cross allergies are present.

Reading tip: We explain here which allergens there are.

Bridget