Allergy desensitization has changed the lives of countless Atlanta patients dealing with chronic allergies. Using immunotherapy and oral immunotherapy treatment, it is now possible to build a tolerance to a previously insufferable allergenic substance. But since many people who have allergies never get tested for allergies, most people remain unaware of the benefits of allergy desensitization. So what is desensitization – and how can it benefit those with allergies?
What Is Allergy Desensitization?
Allergy desensitization is a treatment that trains your immune system to tolerate seasonal, environmental and food allergens. Allergic reactions occur when your body incorrectly believes allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander and various foods pose a threat. Chemicals are released to protect against the perceived threat, and this triggers a person’s allergy symptoms.
Allergy desensitization aims to stop this process by helping the body build a tolerance over a period of months.
What Are the Main Types of Allergy Desensitization?
There are two main types of allergy desensitization – oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) and immunotherapy (allergy shots).
1. Oral Immunotherapy Treatment
Desensitization can treat peanut allergies, milk allergies, tree nut allergies and allergies to various other foods. The OIT process requires patients to consume increasing doses of the target allergen. Initially, food is consumed under the supervision of your allergist. Subsequently, patients eat set amounts of the allergen until a maintenance dose is reached.
With the oral immunotherapy treatment process completed, individuals should maintain consumption of periodic doses of the particular food to ensure desensitization is ongoing. Typically, successful OIT patients will have significantly reduced the chance of allergic reactions. With your allergy doctor’s approval, it may even be possible to reintroduce the food into your diet.
2. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a similar process to OIT, but uses allergy shots to target seasonal allergies, insect bites and indoor allergy triggers. Allergy shots are used to treat allergies to pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander and bee stings through delivering small doses of the allergen via injection. By administering incremental doses of an allergen, the immune system becomes desensitized to its presence in the body.
Though immunotherapy will require periodic visits to your allergist’s office, the treatment offers continued benefits to patients. Not only will an individual be able to reduce their reliance on medication, they can experience life without the persistent threat of allergic reactions.
Am I a Good Candidate for Allergy Desensitization?
A consultation will allow one of our doctors to assess whether you are a good candidate for desensitization. Initially, we will perform a skin or blood test to precisely diagnose the allergy. After allergy testing and discussions with your doctor, factors such as the severity of reaction, reliance on medication and quality of life can determine if oral immunotherapy treatment or allergy shots will be beneficial.
Allergy desensitization is a long-term treatment that requires a commitment of many months. This extended treatment should be considered when determining if you would be an ideal candidate for oral immunotherapy or allergy shots.
Is Allergy Desensitization Safe for Children?
Allergy desensitization is a safe treatment for children when performed by experienced allergists. Children can benefit from allergy desensitization through gradual improvement in symptoms, preventing mild allergies from progressing into more serious conditions and reducing the likelihood of anaphylaxis. With allergy symptoms frequently causing issues for a child’s well-being, dietary habits and social development, OIT and allergy shots can provide effective, long-term relief and improved quality of life.
Allergists will discuss the risks of allergy desensitization with families before starting treatment. Children are closely monitored as they receive their initial doses of the allergen to ensure there are no adverse reactions. In the rare case of a severe reaction, patients can receive epinephrine and the treatment will be stopped.
Contact Us for Allergy Desensitization Treatment
Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center provides allergy desensitization services in Atlanta and beyond. To learn more about allergy shots and OIT, visit one of our centers in the Atlanta area. To reach us, call (678) 668-4688 or make an appointment now.
