Desensitization—Fact and Fiction

Desensitization remains the only form of therapy which can truly heal allergies. Unfortunately, unfounded biases and false beliefs mean that too few affected persons decide to have this treatment. This is regrettable: the success of desensitization is clear to see. Those with pollen allergies, for instance, can anticipate a success rate of up to 90 percent and also a reduced risk of asthma. The only requirement is that the treatment be carried out long enough. Desensitization has been developed and improved continually throughout the last few years. It’s time to leave those false preconceptions behind. Take this test and find out what you know about desensitization. We will tell you which of your beliefs are correct and which are off target. (Go to test)

Desensitization—what is that anyway?

Desensitization, also called “specific immunotherapy”, is for many allergy sufferers the only current form of therapy which has a real chance at healing the allergy. Desensitization takes advantage of the fact that the body’s immune system, which accidentally reacts to a harmless material like pollen, can be “reprogrammed” to its initial condition.

In the treatment, the materials which cause an allergic reaction are introduced into the body in low concentrations and in a slightly altered form. In this way, the immune system can “get used to” the allergens.

Desensitization as a form of therapy was developed almost 100 years ago by the English doctor and researcher Leonard Noon. Noon successfully administered allergy-curing injections of pollen allergens to a patient who suffered from hay fever, which was then an uncommon condition. With the escalating numbers of allergic conditions in the last 20 to 30 years, the need for effective therapy methods has also become more acute. Desensitization is continuously being researched and improved.

Desensitization—Time to get rid of false preconceptions

Today, doctors and patients can decide between therapy with shots (subcutaneous = injected under the skin) or with drops or tablets, which are administered under the tongue (= sublingual). With these expanded choices, the treatment has become much safer and more effective than it was twenty years ago. That’s reason enough to knock down those persistent false preconceptions. We’ve collected true and false statements about the treatment.

Test your knowledge!

Technical Terms—A Short Guide:  Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT): Desensitization through injections (subcutaneous) administered by a doctor. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): Desensitization through drops or tablets administered under the tongue. The first dose is given by a doctor, then the patient can continue the therapy alone at home. Standardised allergen extracts: In the biologically standardised allergens suitable for injection, drops or tablet therapy, the “allergen potency” is tested through trials with allergic patients. Allergen extracts are available as drug products (with market authorisation) or as individually tailored formulae. Allergoids: Allergoids are chemically altered allergens. They are only available for immune therapy by injection. Naturally-occurring allergens are attached to large molecules by adding formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. This procedure reduces the side effects of the treatment. Symptomatic Therapy: Treatment with medications which relieve symptoms only (such as antihistamines).