What is ASIT and who will benefit from allergy vaccinations
Miscellaneous / / June 29, 2022
The result will take a long time, but it's worth it.
Is there an allergy vaccine?
Yes and no. Can pass theAllergy Shots (immunotherapy) / AAAAI preventive treatment - allergen-specific immune therapy (ASIT) - and get rid of allergies for a long time. This is the only method that affects the cause of the disease: with its help, the correct functioning of the immune system is restored.
That's just to call it a vaccine is wrong, because the mechanism of action here is different. In addition, vaccination is carried out at one or more times, and immunotherapy takes much longer.
With ASIT, a person regularly receives a certain amount of allergens in injections, tablets or drops. The dose is chosen so that it is enough to train the immune system, but not enough to cause a full-fledged allergic reaction. Gradually, the amount of the allergen is increased, and as a result, the body gets used to reacting less violently.
Ekaterina Zinchenko
Allergist-immunologist.
The ASIT course not only makes it possible to reduce the severity of symptoms, but also acts as a way to prevent complications, such as asthma. It also allows you to prevent the expansion of the spectrum of allergens: it prevents the formation of hypersensitivity to a new substance.
ASIT is included in the CHI program. To undergo therapy, you need to get a referral from your doctor, take an extract from the card and make an appointment at a special center. However, you can resort to the services of private clinics.
Who is ASIT suitable for?
To you fitAllergy shots / Mayo Clinic ASIT if:
- Medications do little to control symptoms.
- You want to stop living "on pills" because you drink them all the time.
- You need to constantly take other medications that, together with allergy medications, cause side effects.
What types of allergies does ASIT help with?
Unfortunately save you from food allergy ASIT can notAllergen Immunotherapy (AIT) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) / ASCIA. But it can be carried out with other types of reactions.
- seasonal allergies. If you are allergic appearsAllergy shots / Mayo Clinic at about the same time of the year, then most likely you are reacting to the pollen of trees, meadows or weeds.
- Allergy to domestic provocateurs. If there are symptoms all year round, then maybe triggers areAllergy shots / Mayo Clinic dust mites, mold, domestic cat or dog dander, cockroach feces.
- Allergy to insect stings. Usually this wasps, bees and hornets.
Ekaterina Zinchenko
Allergist-immunologist.
In Russia, ASIT is carried out mainly for reactions to pollen and mites. When allergic to stings of arthropods, such as bees, it is prescribed only to those people who have had anaphylactic shock, that is, for health reasons.
When to start ASIT
Treatment is prescribed only after, with the help of tests, they find out what exactly the body is reacting to and whether it is accurate. allergy.
Ekaterina Zinchenko
Allergist-immunologist.
For year-round allergies, treatment can be started at any time. And when reacting to pollen - a few months before the flowering season, depending on the particular plant.
Not worth it start offAllergen Immunotherapy (AIT) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) / ASCIA therapy during pregnancy. Also, ASIT is not recommended for children under 5 years of age.
How ASIT is carried out
Immunotherapy can be given as tablets, injections, or drops.
More commonly, injections are used, this is called subcutaneous immunotherapy. They are performed only by a specially trained allergist under the supervision of an allergist.
Allergens in tablets or drops are absorbed into the blood in the mouth. This form is called sublingual - that is, the drug is placed under the tongue.
How long does ASIT take?
Treatment lastsAllergy shots / Mayo Clinic 3-5 years and consists of two stages.
Build-up phase
According to the recommendations of the Australian Society of Allergology and Immunology, it takes from 3 to 6 months. At this time, injections should be given 1-3 times a week or daily. acceptAllergen Immunotherapy (AIT) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) / ASCIA tablets or drops. The dose of the allergen increases with each dose.
In Russia, this stage usually lasts from 10 days to 2 months. Sometimes injections can be done up to 3 times a day every 2 hours.
Supportive care
Lasts about 3-5 years. Drops and tablets of the same dosage should be taken daily. Injections are made from 1 time per week to 1 time per month.
What results can be expected from ASIT
After treatment symptoms disappearAllergen Immunotherapy (AIT) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) / ASCIA for 5-10 years, then the allergy may return.
Ekaterina Zinchenko
Allergist-immunologist.
After a 3-5 year course of ASIT, a stable remission can be achieved. The effect of ASIT persists for many years after the end of treatment in cases of confirmed IgE-dependent allergic reactions. Therefore, it is extremely important to conduct a competent allergy examination in advance.
Does ASIT have any side effects?
Most people don't have much of a problem. But since drugs containAllergy shots / Mayo Clinic triggers, then a reaction may occur:
- Local - swelling or irritation at the injection site. They usually appear within a few hours after the injection and go away soon after. You can relieve them by applying ice or taking antihistamines. When taking drops and tablets, such a reaction does not develop.
- Systemic. Occurs regardless of the form of the allergen. Rarely, sneezing, nasal congestion, or hives develop. Even less often - swelling of the throat, wheezing or tightness in the chest. Treatment is prescribed by an allergist.
The extreme manifestation of the reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a dangerous, life-threatening condition. It is manifested by weakness, pallor, nausea, confusion of consciousness up to its loss and other signs. It starts within 30 minutes after the injection, but sometimes later, so after the procedure it is recommended to stay at the doctor's office for at least half an hour.
How can ASIT side effects be reduced?
reduce1. Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) / ASCIA
2. Allergy shots / Mayo Clinic the likelihood of developing a reaction is possible if you follow these rules:
- Start therapy only if there is no exacerbation of asthma.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any symptoms, even mild ones like watery eyes and sneezing.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking heart, blood pressure, or glaucoma medications, and tell your doctor right away if you start drinking something new.
- Follow the schedule for taking the drug.
Taking an antihistamine before the injection may also reduce the risk of a reaction, especially a local one. Check with your doctor if you can take them.
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