Immunotherapy for allergic disorders

Abstract

Immunotherapy can be an effective and safe treatment for reducing allergic reactivity to a number of inhaled and injected allergens. It can be used for the treatment of problematic respiratory allergic disorders that are not responding well to environmental measures and drug treatment. Immunotherapy for hay fever or asthma is generally given by subcutaneous injection of increasing doses of an extract of the allergen to which the patient is sensitive. Injections should be given by experienced medical practitioners and resuscitation equipment must be readily available. The patient should be under observation for 30 to 45 minutes following each injection.