What is allergen-specific immunotherapy and who is it indicated for?

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only pathogenetic method of treating allergic diseases that affects not just the symptoms, but the very cause of their occurrence. The essence of the method lies in the regular administration of increasing doses of the causally significant allergen to the patient's body over a long period. This allows for restructuring the work of the immune system, training it to react calmly to the irritant instead of triggering a cascade of violent inflammatory reactions.

The method is especially effective for respiratory allergies, such as pollinosis, allergy to house dust or house dust mites, as well as reactions to stinging insect venoms. Treatment is usually started during a remission period, outside the season of active plant flowering. There are two main ways of administering the drug: subcutaneous injections, which are performed in a medical office, and the sublingual method, where drops or tablets are placed under the tongue and taken by the patient independently at home according to a strict schedule.

The main advantage of immunotherapy is its long-term effect. After completing a full course of treatment, which usually lasts from three to five years, patients experience persistent remission. Symptoms become significantly weaker or disappear altogether, the need for constant intake of symptomatic drugs decreases, and in children, it is possible to prevent the transition of allergic rhinitis into severe bronchial asthma. However, the method has a number of contraindications, including severe forms of immunodeficiency, oncological diseases, and exacerbation of chronic illnesses.

The process of undergoing therapy requires discipline and strict adherence to all medical recommendations. The main stages of treatment include the following steps: