Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs, causing episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. While asthma can be controlled by taking medications and avoiding triggers, a recent study has found that it may also be prevented by undergoing allergy immunotherapy.
What Is Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term approach to treating allergies. Rather than masking symptoms, it works by desensitizing your immune system to allergens. There are two types of immunotherapy: subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT).
Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
Subcutaneous immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, entails getting regular injections containing small amounts of extracts of allergens that your allergy test shows your body reacts to, like tree pollen found at West Ashley Park. The longer you take allergy shots, the better your body can begin to tolerate exposure to the allergens, and eventually, you may not have a reaction at all.
Allergy shots are administered in two phases: the buildup phase and the maintenance phase.
The buildup phase requires the most time commitment. During this phase, most people receive injections twice per week for three to six months. Each injection contains larger amounts of the allergen extract until you reach the maintenance dose.
The maintenance phase requires shots once or twice per month for three to five years. Most people experience reduced symptoms after the first year, and virtually no symptoms by the end of the phase.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
This form of immunotherapy, which is also known as allergy drops, is administered in tablet or drop form that is placed under the tongue until dissolved. The drops or tablets are primarily used to treat allergies to ragweed, dust mites and northern pasture grasses.
Based on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor will have you take the drops three to seven days a week. The entire process takes three to five years to develop lasting immunity.
The tablet should be taken before the start of allergy season for grass and ragweed allergies; dust mite allergies require treatment year-round.
About the Study
One systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in Europe found that if children undergo allergy immunotherapy before they develop asthma, it may help prevent the condition.
To uncover this, the researchers identified 4,549 studies, including 24 randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies of interventions. Eighteen were included in the meta-analysis. The studies were evaluated for quality using risk-of-bias (ROB) tools. The researchers meta-analyzed the data using the random-effects model methodology, and they performed sensitivity, influence and subgroup analyses.
Results were more noticeable for SCIT and SLIT drops, but SLIT tablets also demonstrated protective effects. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.