Can one hyposensitize against house dust mites?
Hyposensitization or specific immunotherapy can also be applied in cases of pronounced dust mite allergy. The therapy amounts to usually 3 years and shows the largest chances of success with children starting from the 6. year of life, only briefly existing allergy against house dust mites or otherwise few up to no further existing allergies. In addition to the administration of syringes containing specific allergens, allergen preparations in drop form can also be taken in the case of house dust mite allergy. Especially for children or sensitive patients this procedure is an attractive alternative.
Is it possible to hyposensitize during pregnancy?
To date, there is no evidence of a damaging effect of hyposensitization during pregnancy. Doctors assume that treatment with allergens, unlike medication, does not pose any danger to the newborn child. However, a specific immunotherapy may be associated with side effects such as a severe allergic reaction. For the safety of mother and child, experts therefore recommend the following procedure: If the therapy has already been started “before the pregnancy” and no side effects have occurred, the therapy can be continued. However, the dose of the allergen should not be further increased.If hyposensitization had not been carried out before pregnancy, it should be postponed until after pregnancy to protect against side effects such as a severe allergic reaction of the mother.
Can this also be done with animals?
Hyposensitization is also possible in animals, especially dogs and cats. As with humans, specific allergens are injected. The allergens are mostly proteins, which are components of substances or materials to which the animal reacts allergically.
They are administered to the animal in modified form for hyposensitization. This usually takes place at regular intervals at the veterinarian or is partly also carried out by the owners themselves (according to the instructions of the veterinarian). The chances of success for an improvement of the allergy are about 50-60%. In 30 % of these cases a remission is observed, i.e. no more allergy-related complaints occur.
