The allergy vaccine, also called specific immunotherapy, is a treatment capable of controlling allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, and involves the administration of allergen injections, which are given in increasing doses, in order to reduce the sensitivity of people. allergic to allergens that cause rhinitis.
Allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to certain substances that the body considers invasive and harmful. People most likely to have allergies are those with respiratory diseases such as asthma, rhinitis or sinusitis.
- In addition to allergic rhinitis.
- Specific immunotherapy may also be applied to conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis.
- Allergic asthma.
- Latex allergy.
- Allergic reactions to the poison of insect bites or other IgE-mediated hypersensitivity diseases.
The administration of the vaccine should be individualized for each patient. The choice of allergen should be made by identifying specific IgE antibodies, through allergological tests, that allow a quantitative and qualitative assessment of allergy, focusing on the predominant environmental allergens in the region where the person lives.
The initial dose should be adapted to the sensitivity of the person, then the doses should be gradually increased and administered at regular intervals, until a maintenance dose is reached.
The duration of treatment may vary from person to person, as treatment is individualized. These injections are generally well tolerated and do not produce serious side effects and, in some cases, rashes and redness may occur.
Immunotherapy is indicated for people with exaggerated allergic reactions, which can be controlled.
The most suitable situations for this type of treatment in people with allergic rhinitis are:
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Who shouldn’t do the treatment?
Treatment should not be performed in people with corticodependant asthma, severe atopic dermatitis, pregnant women, people under 2 years of age and the elderly.
In addition, specific immunotherapy is not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases, severe psychiatric disorders, adrenergic beta blockers, non-IgE-related allergic diseases and risk conditions for epinephrine use.
Some of the effects that may occur during treatment, especially 30 minutes after receiving the injections, are erythema, swelling and itching at the injection site, sneezing, coughing, diffuse erythema, hives and shortness of breath.