Desensitization (hyposensitization) is a form of therapy used to treat people with allergies. Although this does not cure the allergy, gradually exposing the patient to the allergen reduces the symptoms. The advantage of this therapy is that it involves neither medication nor surgery.
Here you will find the most important information as well as qualified desensitization specialists.
According to a study by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nearly one-third of 18- to 79-year-olds in Germany suffer from an allergy. Allergies are not only a nuisance in everyday life, but above all, they are ubiquitous health hazards.
Symptoms range from an itchy nose and sneezing to anaphylactic shock, which is life-threatening.
Desensitization (hyposensitization) of the body’s immune response can significantly reduce allergic reactions.
Desensitization (hyposensitization) is a type of allergy treatment that brings about long-term relief from symptoms.
In hyposensitization, doctors administer increasingly higher doses of the allergen to the body. This makes the body less sensitive to the substance being introduced.
Desensitization can be thought of as a kind of long-term vaccination against allergens. Unlike a vaccination, however, it does not suppress the body’s own immune response.
The body is exposed to the allergen in low doses. The goal is for the body to become accustomed to the substances so that it refrains from extreme defensive reactions.
Pollen allergy: Annoying sneezing on a nice day © Patrizia Tilly / Fotolia
In everyday language, desensitization is primarily known as hyposensitization.
The treating physician gradually administers higher doses of the allergen to the body. This allows the body to become accustomed to the substance, which is intended to prevent future extreme reactions.
The body does not become insensitive to the allergen, but rather less sensitive to it. This does not mean that the allergy is cured. However, desensitization is the only method that allows the body to naturally acclimate to the allergen.
Since the body is now familiar with the supposedly dangerous substance, it reduces the immune system’s overreaction. This effectively limits allergy symptoms or eliminates them entirely.
Hyposensitization or desensitization is administered via injection, typically over several years with gradually increasing doses.
Nowadays, patients can also take the allergen in the form of drops or tablets. However, the chances of success are lower with this method.
In principle, anyone with an allergy who suffers from an immediate-type reaction (IgE-mediated Type I allergy) can undergo desensitization. However, the procedure should be performed at a younger age (under 50 years old) and, if possible, within 5 years of the allergy’s onset.
Younger patients have a higher chance that the therapy will be effective and that they will remain symptom-free in the long term. Their bodies may not yet have stabilized or may even still be growing. For this reason, it is easier for their bodies to gradually shut down the automatic immune responses triggered by contact with an allergen.
However, even older allergy sufferers or those who have lived with an allergy their entire lives can undergo desensitization. It is possible that their bodies can still adapt to the allergen. Those with a narrow range of allergies also have an advantage.
The more diverse the allergies, the more difficult it is for the body to wean itself off fighting the allergens. Depending on the individual type of allergy, desensitization may require several years of regular sessions to be effective in the long term.
However, it has a high success rate. For example, the success rate for insect allergies is 95 percent, and for pollen allergies, it is still 80 to 90 percent.
Treatment with allergens carries risks. The body is intentionally exposed to a substance it cannot tolerate. As a result, itching or redness at the injection site occurs relatively frequently; this is not a cause for concern.
However, if the following symptoms occur, you should contact your doctor immediately:
There are therefore risks associated with desensitization or hyposensitization.
However, it is unlikely that serious problems will actually occur after administration. The incidence of severe complications is less than 1 in 10,000.
Hyposensitization cannot be performed in the following cases:
To increase the chances of success and minimize risks, please follow these guidelines:
Discuss the risks with a healthcare provider to determine whether desensitization is an option for you!
While allergies can be managed with medication, they cannot be cured.
Medications alleviate allergy symptoms, though their effectiveness depends on the severity of the allergy. Additionally, medications always contain substances that the kidneys must filter and eliminate.
Desensitization allows for extensive or complete relief from symptoms without the need for medication.
Furthermore, the results of hyposensitization or desensitization are usually more comprehensive than those of medication-based treatment.
Thus, there is no artificial suppression; rather, after successful desensitization, the body is able to suppress the reaction on its own.
The procedure contributes to a comprehensive reduction in symptoms and the development of natural tolerance. It also helps prevent asthma and the development of new allergies.
The benefits at a glance:
Since there are many different types of allergies and allergens, you may want to consult various specialists, such as:
Every physician listed in the Leading Medicine Guide has attained the highest level of training and certification within their respective medical specialty society. Furthermore, we contacted this physician based, among other factors, on their case volume (surgeries, treatments, and therapies), which we determined by cross-referencing various publicly available sources. Following discussions with the selected physicians and the directors of the medical facilities, as well as a subsequent internal review, they were admitted to the Leading Medicine Guide.
The quality assurance of the Leading Medicine Guide is further ensured by 8 admission criteria. Each member must meet at least 6 of them:
