Immunotherapy /
Desensitisation

Immunotherapy to aeroallergens (dust mites, pollen, moulds, animals) is currently available in sublingual/SLIT (under the tongue) and subcutaneous/SCIT (injection) form.

The medications such as oral antihistamines and nose sprays help to control the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) but do not treat the underlying cause. Allergen immunotherapy aims to treat the underlying cause by
re-training the immune system and switching off the allergy, but it does not cure the allergy. It reduces the severity of symptoms and the need for ongoing medications in many patients.

Improvement in symptoms is usually noticed within the first 6 months of starting the treatment. The treatment needs to be continued for minimum 3 years to experience long lasting improvements in the symptoms.

Injection immunotherapy to honeybee and wasp allergy is usually recommended for the treatment of potentially
life-threatening allergic reactions to stinging insects (honey bee, wasp).