Subcutaneous Immunotherapy

Asthma and Allergy are accepted conditions that involve both genetics and environmental bothers (contributions). Also, this type of condition is a disease striking the cells of the human body’s immune system; however, it is inflammatory response to a normally

Allergies are one of the most common complaints for which patients seek medical attention. They disrupt patients’ lives and can even make others uncomfortable. While symptomatic relief can be obtained with antihistamines and similar medications, most patients would rather live completely symptom free and thus they turn to desensitization therapy. Here, I will explain the mechanism behind allergies and the different forms of desensitization therapies that are available today.

Anaphylaxis responses are becoming more common due to genetic and environmental factors (Saleh et al. 2012). BSA, OSA and Alpha-gal continue to be the main allergic agents known today (McNeill and Van-Elswyk 2012). Health and well-being g hand-to-hand with a proper diet. As a result of atopic dermatitis, different options have been adopted for proper intake of micronutrients and essential vitamins of those affected (Asp et al. 2012). In specific, the children and elderly still remain the most affected due to this condition (Saleh et al. 2012).

Allergic rhinitis” is very comnon disease affects about 5-22% from world population with about 9% of all visits to physicians” for the allergic diseases [1].

A single mast cell can be coated with different types of IgE antibodies, each of which bind to a different allergen.1 When an allergen trigger enters the body it is detected by the IgE antibodies, which then triggers the release of histamine from the mast cells.1 In addition to histamine, a slow reactive substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) is also released, which “induces prolonged and profound contraction of smooth muscle, especially of the respiratory airways”.1 Hence, the mast cells release chemicals that characterise the immediate hypersensitivity

Then, the IgE molecules are differentiated into extremely specific sub-categories. Then, the IgE’s will attach to the allergen and create an antigen-antibody complex. Then, the complex will bind to a mast cell, which provokes the mast cell to release certain chemicals such as histamine and serotonin. This causes allergic symptoms, but I will get into that section later in the paper. An allergic response might lead to anaphylactic shock, a life threatening reaction that will happen in seconds after the initial intake of the allergen.

Running noses, constant sneezing, and hives! Our immune system is constantly patrolling our body, on the lookout for infections invaders. When a harmful substance is detected, the immune system kicks into overdrive. A swarm of specialized molecules called antibodies are summoned to seek out and destroy the invader. When an unfamiliar substance is mistaken as harmful, it is called an allergen. Allergens trigger an overreaction of the immune response by unnecessarily dispatching a swarm of cells to fight-off the harmless invader. Included in this army are groups of cells called basophils and mast cells, which release a chemical called histamine. Histamine allows specialized immune cells and molecules to reach infected tissues, however they also

HDM allergy is considered as one of the most common causative agents for airborne allergens. Despite this, immune response is still unclear. Prior to recent development, Jacquet (2012) stated that the response to HDM allergens is caused by a dysregulation of the adaptive immune system. However, recent studies show that HDM allergic response is caused by cross-reactivity between the innate and adaptive immune system.

When an unknown substance, known as an allergen is introduced to a host with a heightened sensitivity, or an allergy the immune system will tend to overreact when trying to defend itself. (WS) Not all substances that can cause allergic reactions are harmful, like pollen, but with overworking immune systems the reaction’s severity can vary from mild discomfort to life threatening. (WS) People with allergies can be affected by allergen when they are inhaled, touched, ingested, or injected into the body. Symptoms of said contact can

Antihistamines can be used to treat a small allergic reaction. They block effects of histamine, which is responsible for most of the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline is used to treat any severe allergic reaction. It works by narrowing the blood vessels to turn around the effects of low blood pressure, and by clearing the airways to ease breathing problems. This adrenaline is stored in an auto injector, called an Epi Pen (Food Allergy- Treatment- NHS Choices n.pag.). There are many researchers and non-profit organizations trying to find cures for food allergies. The hope is that soon there will be a break through. There is an ongoing research study in an attempt to cure the peanut allergy: “Dr. Wesley Burks is part of a potentially groundbreaking study aimed at discovering whether children with peanut allergies can be desensitized to peanuts and eventually be cured of the allergy itself.” The study has children ingesting tiny amounts of peanut flour daily, and gradually increasing the dose every day, and gradually increasing the dose every two weeks. This is known as Oral Immunotherapy. The research/treatment is very promising, but being done on a very small basis currently. “Dr. Burks said the therapy works by developing the body of chemicals that cause allergic reactions. If successful, desensitization therapy should be able to help

According to Tortora and Derrickson (2014), “[antigens are] substances that are recognized as foreign and provoke immune responses” (p. 815), while “[allergens] are antigens that produce an allergic reaction“ (p. 834). For example, when a virus, such as chicken pox, invades the body, it incites an adaptive immune response, which allows to body to better protect itself in the future. If the antigen were to invade the body again, symptoms may be much smaller or may not even appear, because the body faster recognizes the invader and takes care of it much more swiftly. This is why people usually get Chicken Pox only once.

A continues rise of allergy diseases has affected all populations around the world. Allergen immunotherapy has been used since early 1900s. It has been increasing in popularity among practicing physicians as allergies have continued to get worse every year, particularly in the warmer states. Immunotherapy is advocated because it is a natural method that eventually cures or significantly improves the allergic disease instead of concealing the symptoms with medicine.

Allergen immunotherapy can be described as a therapeutic technique used to treat symptoms of allergies and reduces the underlying immunological hypersensitivity (1). In this method the patients are provided gradually increasing levels of the sensitized allergen, the dose of which is properly administrated. Consequently the immunological response towards this allergen decreases. The issue with the normal treatment against allergies including the anti allergy drugs and an immunomodulatory agent such as anti-IgE is that they only temporarily decrease the symptoms of the allergies, however if the drug intake is discontinued, these symptoms are evident again (1). Contrary to the normal anti-allergy treatments, it is suggested that immunotherapy may be effective in long time remission (2, 3), reduction in the probability of developing new sensitizations and prevention of rhinitis conversion to asthma (4, 5). Hence suggesting that immunotherapy is a more effective way to treat allergies and their associated response in comparison to the traditional anti-allergic treatments. The two methods through which the allergen

In the gastrointestinal tract, these reactions lead to swelling and irritation of the intestinal lining, which causes the cramping and diarrhea typical of food allergy. Allergens that enter the circulation may cause hives, angioedema, anaphylaxis, or atopic dermatitis. Allergens on the skin usually cause delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Roving T cells contact the allergen, setting in motion a more prolonged immune response. This type of allergic response may develop over several days following contact with the allergen, and symptoms may persist for a week or

Asthma suffers have an abnormally high amount of Th2 cells in respiratory system, one of the reasons why a hyper reaction occurs. Th2 helper cells present when dendritic cells are activated due to allergen exposure and are responsible for releasing a number of interleukins including IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, 1L-17, and IL-22 (Holgate, 2011). IL-4 stimulates B-cells, cause proliferation and production of antigen-specific IgE. IL-5 initiates eosinophils, which contribute to increased bronchial hyper responsiveness and epithelial tissue injury and airway scarring. IL-8 activates neutrophils that add to response of inflammatory mediators released by mast cells, is increased by complementary IL-17. IL-13 contributes to bronchoconstriction and airway remodelling. IL-22 adds to the effect of airway epithelial cells response, increasing the stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses (Murphy & O'Byrne, 2010). IgE specific antigens play a massive role, being a direct link between allergen exposure and the hypersensitive