Treatment
As early at 1910 doctors were experimenting with immunisations against hay fever 1. This was replicated in 1914 by Freeman et al. using a bigger sample size findings from studies were published in the highly respected journal The Lancet 2. Since then research has continued into allergen specific immunotherapy and today it is practiced all over the world with standard operating procedures published by the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI). Allergy immunotherapy is offered by allergy specialists in both the NHS and private allergy treatment centres.
There are two methods of immunotherapy currently used, both of which are based on introducing a small amount of allergen into the body, often in increasing doses, to encourage the body’s immune system to tolerate allergens:
SCIT
Subcutaneous injection immunotherapy
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is a small injection containing a specified concentration of an allergen or allergen components. This will be administered regularly by a healthcare professional over a specified period.
SLIT
Sublingual immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) comes in the form of a drop, oral spray or under-tongue tablet. Again, containing specified concentration of an allergen or allergen components. This is often provided to the patient to be administered at home, after the initial supervised dose, with regular check-ups with an allergy specialist.
Both immunotherapies have proven safety profiles taken under medical supervision.
- Noon, L. PROPHYLACTIC INOCULATION AGAINST HAY FEVER. Lancet 177, 1572–1573 (1911).
- Freeman, J. VACCINATION AGAINST HAY FEVER: REPORT OF RESULTS DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS. Lancet 183, 1178–1180 (1914).
