Related Terms

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Background

• Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is often used to treat patients who suffer from severe allergies or who experience allergy symptoms more than three months a year. Allergen immunotherapy involves injecting increasing amounts of a diluted allergen into a patient over several months.
• Rather than treating the symptoms of allergies, immunotherapy treats the immune system, which is responsible for an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when the body is exposed to an antigen (foreign substance like pollen, dust mites, mold and pet dander) that is mistakenly identified as a harmful invader. The white blood cells produce an antibody (immunoglobulin E) to the antigen. This process is called sensitization.
• Once the body is sensitized, the immune cells will release chemical mediators like histamine when the antigen enters the body. These mediators cause inflammation, as well as allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and hives.
• Allergy shots desensitize the patient's immune system so it will not react to the antigen. After therapy, the white blood cells produce less immunoglobulin E when the antigen enters the body. The lower amounts of immunoglobulin E mean that a patient's body is not as sensitive to the antigen and allergy symptoms are reduced.
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Who Should Receive Immunotherapy

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Precautions

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How It Is Performed

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Response To Immunotherapy

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Side Effects

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New Therapies

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Integrative Therapies

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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