Desensitisation - allergen immunotherapy at OpenMed Warsaw and Płock
Desensitisation, or allergen immunotherapy, is a method of treating selected allergic diseases that involves regularly administering an allergen in controlled doses. The aim is to reduce the immune system's excessive reaction to the substance that causes the symptoms. Unlike medicines taken for symptom relief, immunotherapy acts on the mechanism of the allergic disease itself.
At OpenMed you can book an allergology consultation and find out whether desensitisation is indicated in your case. The doctor reviews your symptoms, previous treatment and the results of allergy diagnostics, and then decides on the next steps.
When is desensitisation worth considering?
Allergen immunotherapy is used mainly in patients with IgE-mediated allergy, meaning an allergy in which the immune system produces specific IgE antibodies against a particular allergen.
Desensitisation may be considered, among others, in people with:
- allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis caused, for example, by plant pollen or house dust mites,
- persistent symptoms despite correctly used treatment and limited contact with the allergen,
- side effects of anti-allergy medicines or a need to take them frequently,
- an allergy to bee or wasp venom after certain systemic reactions,
- selected forms of allergic asthma, after a careful assessment of its control and of the factor triggering the symptoms.
Not every type of allergy can be treated this way. The scope of immunotherapy depends on the allergen, the type of disease and the preparations available.
Allergology specialists at OpenMed
Book an allergology consultation for allergy symptoms, testing, diagnosis, and treatment support.
How does qualification for desensitisation work?
The basis is a thorough medical history. The doctor establishes what symptoms occur, when they appear and whether they can be linked to exposure to a specific allergen. What matters is, for example, whether the symptoms are seasonal, whether they get worse at home, contact with animals, or a reaction after an insect sting.
The results of diagnostics are then reviewed. Depending on the situation, skin tests and measurement of specific IgE antibodies in the blood are used. Sometimes more detailed allergy diagnostics are needed.
A positive test result on its own is not an indication for immunotherapy. It is possible to have a laboratory-confirmed sensitisation without experiencing symptoms after contact with the allergen in question. Desensitisation makes sense when the test result matches the actual picture of the disease.
What does allergen immunotherapy involve?
The patient receives controlled doses of the allergen responsible for their symptoms. Treatment begins according to a set schedule and is then continued over a longer period.
In immunotherapy for inhalant allergies, two routes of administration are mainly used: subcutaneous and sublingual. In subcutaneous immunotherapy the preparation is given by injection. In the sublingual method the allergen is taken as a suitable preparation placed under the tongue.
The choice of method depends on the type of allergy, the preparation available, the patient's age, coexisting conditions and the ability to follow the treatment regularly. Not every allergen can be desensitised with each of these methods.
How long does desensitisation take?
Immunotherapy is not a treatment lasting a few weeks. For inhalant allergies, treatment is usually continued for several years. To achieve a long-lasting effect, a period of at least three years is often recommended.
Regularity is very important. Breaks or frequently missed doses can affect the effectiveness of the treatment, and after a longer break the schedule may need to be adjusted.
That is why, before starting desensitisation, it is worth discussing with the doctor not only the medical indications but also the practical side of treatment. The patient should know how often they will be taking the preparation and how long the treatment is planned to last.
Can desensitisation reduce allergy symptoms?
Yes. In appropriately qualified patients, immunotherapy can reduce the severity of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms and the need for symptomatic medicines.
It is a treatment that modifies the course of the allergic disease. The effect does not appear immediately after the first dose, however. Improvement develops gradually over the course of treatment.
An identical effect cannot be guaranteed in every patient either. Effectiveness depends, among other things, on the type of allergen, correct qualification and regular treatment.
Is desensitisation safe?
Immunotherapy is carried out according to set safety rules. The possible side effects depend, among other things, on how the preparation is administered.
After subcutaneous immunotherapy, redness, swelling or itching may occur at the injection site. A systemic reaction is less common, which is why the injections are given in conditions that allow appropriate observation and treatment of any allergic reaction.
With sublingual immunotherapy, local symptoms in the mouth, such as itching or slight swelling, are more common. They are usually most pronounced at the start of treatment.
An important part of qualification is assessing asthma. Poorly controlled or uncontrolled asthma can increase the risk of severe side effects and requires appropriate management before immunotherapy is started.
Desensitisation to insect venom
A special type of immunotherapy is desensitisation to the venom of Hymenoptera insects, mainly bees and wasps. It is used in appropriately qualified patients after allergic reactions related to a sting.
In this situation, the main aim of treatment is to reduce the risk of another systemic reaction after a repeat sting. Qualification depends on the nature of the earlier reaction and on the results of diagnostics confirming sensitisation to the specific venom.
A positive venom test without a matching clinical history does not automatically mean that immunotherapy needs to be started.
What to prepare for the consultation?
If you have earlier results of skin tests, specific IgE measurements, spirometry or other documentation relating to your allergy, bring them to the visit. A list of the medicines you take is also useful.
In the case of seasonal allergy, it is a good idea to think about which months your symptoms are most severe. If the problem concerns a reaction after a sting, the doctor will need information about how it went: what symptoms occurred, how quickly they developed and whether medical help was needed.
On this basis it is possible to decide whether additional tests are needed and whether immunotherapy is the right method of treatment.
Allergen immunotherapy - FAQ
No. Immunotherapy is intended for appropriately selected patients with a confirmed allergy for which an effective desensitisation method is available. Qualification is decided by an allergist.
No. The test result has to match the symptoms that occur after contact with the allergen in question. Finding specific IgE alone is not a sufficient indication for immunotherapy.
For inhalant allergies, immunotherapy usually lasts several years. To achieve a long-lasting effect, at least three years of treatment are often recommended.
Yes, in many situations symptomatic medicines continue to be used, especially at the start of treatment. Their type and how they are taken is decided by the doctor depending on the symptoms.
Immunotherapy can markedly reduce symptoms and the need for medicines, and can influence the long-term course of the disease. Complete resolution of the allergy cannot be guaranteed in every patient, however.