Can Immune Therapy Overcome Allergies? The Era of Ten Million Allergy Patients.

During seasons with dry weather and significant temperature fluctuations, many people suffer from allergy symptoms. Allergies typically manifest as symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and coughing and can occasionally include systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and even cold-like symptoms. Most individuals with these allergy symptoms seek relief through medication, but often the focus is on temporary symptom relief rather than addressing the root cause. In such cases, it may be worthwhile to consider an option called allergy immunotherapy.

 

Allergic diseases can range from mild to severe, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial.

 

The most crucial aspect of allergy treatment is accurately identifying the allergen, which is the substance responsible for triggering the allergy. The initial step in allergy treatment is identifying the allergenic substance, and methods such as blood tests and skin prick tests are employed for this purpose.

 

Immunotherapy involves exposing the body repeatedly to the allergen, inducing immunotolerance (a decrease in the body's hypersensitivity to the allergen). This treatment method gradually desensitizes the body to the allergen by starting with small amounts and increasing the dose over time, operating on principles similar to vaccinations.

 

Allergy immunotherapy can be divided into subcutaneous immunotherapy, where injections are administered, and sublingual immunotherapy, where medication is placed under the tongue. Subcutaneous immunotherapy is primarily suitable for seasonal allergy patients, while sublingual immunotherapy targets perennial allergy patients. Research has shown that although these treatments may require an extended duration, allergy symptoms significantly decrease or even disappear after treatment.

 

Experts advise, "If you experience severe symptoms or have systemic and respiratory symptoms in addition to nasal and ocular symptoms, it is advisable to consider immunotherapy." This recommendation is particularly pertinent for young patients with severe symptoms or those for whom drug therapy has proven ineffective. Immunotherapy requires time and effort as the body's immune system does not change overnight, typically necessitating a treatment period of 3 to 5 years.

 

When undergoing allergy immunotherapy, patients can choose between subcutaneous immunotherapy, administered via injections, and sublingual immunotherapy, where medications are dissolved under the tongue. Although immunotherapy may require a relatively long treatment period, it is considered worthwhile for many patients due to its effectiveness in alleviating allergy symptoms.

 

According to data from the National Health Insurance Service in 2021, a total of 13,041,855 patients visited hospitals for allergy-related conditions. The highest number of patients sought medical attention for allergy-related issues in April and September. This trend is primarily due to the prevalence of pollen allergies during the spring and fall seasons. Additionally, recent worsening of air pollution has contributed to an increasing number of allergy patients during these seasons, warranting caution.

 

Allergic diseases can range from mild to severe, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial. If you experience allergy symptoms or if your symptoms worsen to the point of interfering with daily life, consider consulting a specialist and exploring the option of allergy immunotherapy. For a healthy life, it is essential to have a precise understanding of allergies and consider various treatment options.