Immunotherapy in simple words, a series of allergy shots that reduce the sensitivity to allergens that causes an allergic reaction. It is process of injecting small doses of allergens under the skin, which over time will decrease the severity of the reaction to allergens. The treatment of injecting small amounts of the venom of the insect as a treatment for the allergies to insect stings is also called venom immunotherapy (VIT).

Immunotherapy is an effective method to treat the allergies caused by stings of:Honey bees, yellow jackets, hornets, paper wasps and fire ants. In this treatment, a solution of dilute saline containing a very small amount of the insect venom is injected under the skin. In the beginning one or more shots about once a week is injected, which gets increased in slight dose every time, unless the patient develops a reaction to the shot. This goes on for a period of 4 to 6 months of weekly shots. Once the maintenance level is reached, the same dose in shots is injected at every 4 weeks for another 4 to 6 months. After the first year of shots, the maintenance shots are done every 6 to 8 weeks over the next 3 to 5 years.

In most cases, the allergy shots are given in a doctor’s office and it is monitored closely for possible serious reactions to the injected insect venom. Immunotherapy can prevent life-threatening reactions and also can reduce anxiety associated with insect stings. Immunotherapy reduces the risk of another severe systemic reaction.This also reduces the chances of another severe systemic allergic reaction from 60% to less than 3%.

There do have a fear of risk among many people in the society. But if the shots are given correctly, there do exist no risks. Those who suffer from heart conditions, especially unstable angina or a recent heart attack should never go for immunotherapy as it may be dangerous.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 24th, 2008 at 8:22 am and is filed under Immunotherapy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.