Hyposensitization

Definition

Hyposensitization is a causal therapy, i.e. it intervenes in the cause of the allergy. In the case of hyposensitization, also known as “specific immunotherapy”, or SIT for short, the principle is to restore the balance between inflammation-promoting and anti-inflammatory messenger substances, which has been shifted in allergy sufferers. Hyposensitization is mainly carried out for allergies to house dust mites, pollen or insect venoms.

Causes of hay fever and other allergies

Certain immune cells belonging to the group of Th2 cells are responsible for the excessive production of inflammatory messengers after allergen stimulation. A second type of immune cells, the Th1 cells, naturally downregulate the Th2 cells in the body and produce other messenger substances. This relationship between the immune cells normally represents a finely regulated balance in the body. If this balance is disrupted, allergies such as hay fever can develop. The reaction also recommends: Hay fever and hay fever in children

Implementation of hyposensitization

In order to restore the above-mentioned balance, patients are injected under the skin at variable intervals with increasing amounts of the allergen. This leads to the increased production of Th1 cells and their specific range of messenger substances, which in turn leads to the regression of the allergic symptoms. After the injections have been administered, the patient must be monitored for 30 minutes, as serious side effects with symptoms corresponding to the allergic complaints, up to and including resuscitative shock, may occur (this is very rare, however).

Usually the treatment is carried out after a pollen flight phase until the acute symptoms have subsided somewhat. It often takes up to 3 years before the maximum amount of allergen is reached. The hyposensitization is partly carried out by general practitioners, ENT specialists or by specialists for allergies, the so-called allergologists. The first contact person for allergies is often the general practitioner. If the general practitioner does not offer specific immune therapies, patients can ask their family doctor for allergologists, or search the Internet for doctors who offer hyposensitization in their area.