Immunotherapy, with allergic rhinitis, and allergic asthma

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is a consequence of the overly acute reaction of the human immune system to certain particles that are in the air (allergens). The immune system attacks these particles, which causes a runny nose.

Asthma is a long-term illness that is accompanied by difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing.

If the allergens – pollen, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, mold – worsen the patient’s asthmatic symptoms, he suffers from allergic asthma.

Are allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma dangerous diseases?

Yes, because they can worsen the patient’s health if they are not cured in time. These diseases can cause complications – an infectious disease of the sinuses and ears, occlusion of the ears, sinusitis.

Allergic asthma can cause complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

What is immunotherapy?

A course of immunotherapy involves the subcutaneous administration of small doses of allergens to a person, which cause a reaction in a patient. This gradually reduces the body’s sensitivity to allergens and over time can reduce the manifestation of symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Immunotherapy helps with allergies to:

• Pollen (ambrosia, grass, trees)
• Dust mites and cockroaches
• Dandruff of animals (cats and dogs)
• Mold (fungus).

Immunotherapy: “for” and “against”

An allergy sufferer has a choice:

• It can avoid contact with the allergen.
• Constantly take medications that control the symptoms of allergies and / or asthma.
• Take a course of immunotherapy, while continuing to take drugs to control symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma are incurable diseases. In this case, immunotherapy can relieve the patient from the onset of symptoms for a long time.

When deciding on immunotherapy, pay attention to the information:

• This type of therapy is effective in most cases and reduces the symptoms of allergy to pollen, animal dander, dust mites, mold, cockroaches.
• Immunotherapy can prevent the development of asthma in children suffering from allergic rhinitis.
• The course of immunotherapy lasts from 3 to 5 years.
• It is not known how long the positive effect of immunotherapy will last. When allergic to certain types of herbs, immunotherapy gave a positive effect for 3-4 years.
• Immunotherapy is most effective in allergies to several allergens that are difficult to avoid in everyday life.
• Immunotherapy is not recommended for patients who suffer from coronary artery disease, take beta-blockers, are pregnant, have a weakened immune system.
• Immunotherapy is recommended for children with asthma, whose symptoms worsen due to the action of allergens.
• Immunotherapy is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
• Children aged 3-4 years in some cases difficult to complete the entire course of immunotherapy. In this case, you should consult with your doctor.
• Immunotherapy can only be started if the patient’s asthma symptoms are well controlled.

When making a decision, you should take into account your own wishes and medical facts.

How to cope with hay fever?

People who have never experienced hay fever do not think that it is worse than the common cold. But unlike a cold, hay fever without proper treatment can last for weeks or even months. Doctors know that many patients with horror think about what awaits them in summer and spring. One out of ten patients have so severe symptoms that they can hardly drive a car or sleep.

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) occurs when the immune system perceives pollen, or any other allergen as a toxin, and releases chemicals that lead to inflammation of the nasal mucus, throat, and eyes.

Rhinitis is a condition in which the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed, resulting in sneezing, itching, and a persistent runny nose. Every fifth person is subject to a similar allergy. In addition, allergens can be completely different – both animal hair and dust.

Doctors believe that it is safe and prudent to combine several types of drugs to combat hay fever, such as steroid nasal sprays, along with daily antihistamines. However, in order to find the right treatment, it is best to consult a doctor.

To combat hay fever there is no ideal method for everyone. To get started is a trial and error test antihistamines, which are sold without a prescription. Also common medications such as cetirizine or loratadine can help in the fight against allergies. In addition, there is a possibility that the body will get used to the action of the drug, and it will become useless, so you need to select several active drugs and use them in turn.