Allergen Immunotherapy| एलर्जी: कारण, निदान|By Dr. Rajesh Bhardwaj #MedfirstENTCentre #entdoctor

Do we finally have a cure for Allergic Rhinitis? We have been struggling to find a cure for Allergies for a long time. Allergic Rhinitis is a fairly debilitating illness and causes frequent absences from work on account of constant sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, etc. Traditionally Allergic Rhinitis was treated with oral medication and nasal sprays. This was more in the nature of symptom relief- there is no actual cure for the illness. We now have a ray of hope for many of our sufferers from Allergic Rhinitis and the extension of that - Nasobronchial Allergy (where the lungs are also affected). ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY In allergen immunotherapy, we attempt to finally Treat the patient and try to rid them of this problem once and for all. How does it work? This is how it works- Blood tests - we estimate the patient's IgE counts which are the body's indicator of Allergies. If found elevated we move to the next step - Skin prick test - standard allergen extracts are used and tested on the skin- to look for a reaction that is in the nature of a red bleb/ swelling. Various allergens are used - House dust mites, pollens, fungus, insects, food items, etc. We read the results and identify the allergens that cause the most reaction. This is then communicated to the patient and we discuss the final stage of the treatment - Allergen Immunotherapy - a solution is made from the extracts of all the diagnosed allergens and this is then given to the patient as an oral medication by a technique called SLIT - sublingual Immunotherapy. The patient has to take a drop of this extract every morning for a period of 2-3 years - depending upon the response. the treatment is carried out in stages with the first loading dose and then subsequent doses over a period of time. HOW DOES SLIT WORK? The idea behind Allergen Immunotherapy is to introduce a sub-optimal dose of known allergens and create a tolerance in the body so that the body does not launch an immune attack against the known allergen. There is a down-regulation of the allergen response. Over a period of time the body's immune system becomes tolerant of the allergen. NEED TO KNOW The treatment works best if you are allergic to a single allergen (monotherapy). It is most effective against dust mites, grass pollen, and animal dander. The therapy takes a long time before it shows effects FAQs 1. Is there an alternative to SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy)? Yes- initially this therapy has been offered as SCIT - Subcutaneous Immunotherapy. In SCIT the extract is injected below the skin for a prolonged period of time. This is still in use. However, because of the inconvenience of injecting oneself every day, SLIT is gaining popularity. It is also known that SCIT is a more effective form of desensitization. 2. Are there any side effects? As with any treatment, there would be side effects - the most notable being an anaphylactic reaction to the allergen extract. Though the dose used is suboptimal for causing such a reaction, and though the chances of an anaphylactic reaction are much higher with SCIT, there have been reported cases. No fatality has been reported as per the latest information available. 3. WHAT ARE THE UNCERTAINTIES IN SLIT TREATMENT? Precise dosage of the allergen, Treatment schedules, Duration of treatment. 4. How effective is this treatment? There are three types of responders Very effective- patient states that symptoms have settled down and anti-allergy medication is rarely required Partially effective - many patients will state that though the symptoms and sick days are less and dependence on anti-allergic medication is reduced there are still days when symptoms appear. Non-responders - some patients will get no relief at all. 5. Is it a once-in-a-lifetime treatment? For some, it may be. Others may require treatment from time to time in the future - this is especially relevant if they develop new allergies in the future. Follow us on social media for the latest updates, health tips, and videos for more informative content directly from MedFirst ENT Centre: 🌐 Website: https://entdelhi.com/ 📘 Facebook:   / medfirstentcentre   📸 Instagram:   / drbhardwajent   🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/entdelhi 📝 Blog: https://medfirstentcentre.blogspot.com/ ⚕️ Contact Form: https://bit.ly/fill_medical_form Contact Us: 📍 Location: MedFirst ENT Centre, South Delhi 📞 Phone: +91 98711 50032, +91 92055 85295 https://entdelhi.com/book-an-appointm... 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: entdelhi.com 🕒 Timings: Monday - Saturday: 9 AM - 6:30 PM Disclaimer: Dr. Bhardwaj’s decades of experience ensure that the information provided is medically accurate, comprehensive, and easy to understand. However, this content is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns.