Allergy is a common disease, especially respiratory allergies, which are mainly caused by airborne allergens such as dust mites, pollen, or animal dander. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, frequent sneezing, and in some cases, asthma symptoms may also occur. These symptoms often worsen when the weather changes or with frequent exposure to allergens.
But did you know that allergies can be treated? Besides using symptom-relieving medications, there is a treatment method called Allergen Immunotherapy, which helps the body get used to allergens and reduces allergy symptoms in the long term.
What is Allergen Immunotherapy?
It is a treatment that aims to stimulate the body’s immune system to become accustomed to allergens in gradually increasing amounts, which helps reduce severe reactions to allergens over time, allowing patients to live more normally.
Methods of Immunotherapy Treatment
There are two main forms:
- Allergy Shots
- Injection of allergens in gradually increasing amounts to help the body slowly build immunity.
- Suitable for patients with multiple allergies or allergies to various allergens.
- Sublingual Tablets
- Administration of allergens in the form of sublingual tablets.
- Suitable for patients allergic to dust mites or those who prefer convenient treatment.
Benefits of Allergen Immunotherapy
- Long-term reduction of allergy symptoms. After continuous treatment for 3-5 years, allergy symptoms improve significantly.
- Reduced medication use. Patients do not need to rely on antihistamines or nasal sprays frequently.
- Relief of asthma symptoms. For patients with asthma along with allergies, this treatment effectively reduces asthma symptoms.
Who is this treatment suitable for?
- Those with chronic allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, frequent sneezing, or asthma.
- Those who want long-term allergy treatment and to reduce medication dependence.
- Those who do not want allergy symptoms to interfere with daily life.
Treatment Process
Allergen immunotherapy begins with allergy testing to identify the allergens the patient is allergic to. Then, the doctor will plan the treatment by administering allergens in gradually increasing amounts to help the body build immunity.
Build-up Phase: The patient receives increasing amounts of allergens over 3-6 months.
Maintenance Phase: After the body has built sufficient immunity, the patient receives a fixed amount of allergens for 3-5 years.
Precautions
Although allergen immunotherapy is safe and effective, patients should be closely monitored by a doctor because there may be some side effects, such as swelling and redness at the injection site, or in some cases, severe allergic reactions (Anaphylaxis).
Allergen immunotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with chronic allergies, especially those who want to reduce symptoms long-term and decrease medication dependence. If you or someone close to you has chronic allergy symptoms, consulting a doctor to consider allergen immunotherapy may be a good option to help improve your quality of life.
“Don’t let allergies control your life. Consult a doctor at our hospital
to find the treatment that suits you.”
