What Are Allergies?
Allergies are an abnormal response of the immune system to a substance known as an allergen. Allergens are substances to which particular individuals have extreme sensitivity. When a person is exposed to an allergen, the body releases chemicals including histamine, which produce the allergic reaction.
Immunotherapy is the administration of small doses of the allergen causing the problem which are gradually increased to help the patient develop increased tolerance. Immunotherapy works to bolster the immune system without triggering an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergens are pollen, dust mites, mold and animal dander.
Allergy Testing
For patients who have allergy symptoms not responding to usual allergy medications, we offer convenient, in-house allergy testing. This usually involves intradermal pinprick testing on the forearms to determine specific environmental allergies. This can be helpful for avoidance, as well as to guide immunotherapy to treat the allergies.
Intradermal Tests
The difference between the scratch test and the intradermal test is that during an intradermal procedure the potential allergen is injected just below the skin. This test is typically used to test for one particular substance, like penicillin or bee venom, already suspected of causing an allergic response.
The Immunotherapy Procedure
A course of immunotherapy typically begins by giving the patient small quantities of the allergen, gradually increasing the dose over a year. In the past, this was often done by weekly injections in the office (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy), but the inconvenience made this difficult for many patients. At Desert ENT, most of our patients are treated with Sublingual Immunotherapy. The patient receives a small, two month supply bottle of the allergen which is kept at home in the refrigerator. Every morning the patient places a few drops under the tongue. Over time, the dosage is gradually increased until the allergies are resolved. The convenience makes treatment more practical and effective.