Berlin (dpa) - Vaccinations can alleviate the symptoms of hay
fever when conventional methods such as nasal sprays, eye drops and
antihistamines fail, according to Germany's Berlin-based Professional
Association of Dermatologists.
This form of treatment is called immunotherapy and should be
initiated weeks in advance of pollination.
Those who are allergic to the pollen of the hazel and alder trees
which blossom in early spring should begin a course of immunotherapy
in autumn.
For grass allergies, on the other hand, there is still time to
begin a course this year as pollination in the northern hemisphere
begins in May.
The association says allergy sufferers have a choice between three
types of therapy. In the first form, sufferers receive a course of
injections of the allergen under their skin in ever increasing
concentrations.
This method allows the body's immune system to become less
sensitive to the allergen and can help ease the symptoms in the first
season of use.
A full course of injections takes three years to complete and its
effects last about 10 years. There is also evidence to suggest that
this form of therapy can prevent development of allergic asthma,
according to dermatologist and allergist Kerstin Jung.
In the second form of therapy, the patient places drops of the
vaccine on their tongue. However, doctors say it can be difficult to
judge the correct dosage with this method.
The third form consists of vaccine tablets that the patient
administers under their tongue. This can lead to some uncomfortable
itching and swelling in the mouth in the first few days of treatment.
Vaccine tablets are very suited to patients who don't have enough
time to make regular appointments for injections.
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