Alice,
A friend of mine is interested in desensitization therapy for cat
allergy. He has consulted two allergists: one claimed a nearly 100
percent success rate; the other suggested the procedure was virtually
worthless, and possibly dangerous. I suspect the truth lies somewhere
between these two extremes. Is there any reliable information concerning
the success rate for this procedure, what kinds of problems might be
encountered, and how long one might expect it to take?
-- Fur ball
Dear Fur ball,
Desensitization therapy, also called immunotherapy, is considered to
be a preventive treatment for allergies. In allergy prevention,
immunotherapy involves injecting gradually larger doses of the allergen,
or substance, to which the person is allergic, into the skin of her/his
arm. The purpose of this process is to make the immune system less
sensitive to the allergen, probably through the production of a blocking
antibody, which decreases allergy symptoms if the allergen is encountered
in the future. A purified extract of the allergen is injected once a week
for thirty weeks, after which injections can be reduced to once every two
weeks, and eventually be decreased to one time every four weeks. The
duration of the entire therapy is three to four years. Immunotherapy is
generally recommended for people who have selective sensitivity to
specific allergens. One rare complication that can arise is anaphylactic
shock, or severe allergic reaction, occurring shortly after an injection.
To prevent this risk, immunotherapy should not be done at a time of
exposure to the substance causing the allergy. As far as the success rate
of desensitization therapy for allergy sufferers, no statistics are
available, according to the National Institute of Allergies and
Infectious Diseases. However, the informal statistic bandied about by
professionals in the allergy field is that it is effective in
approximately 50 percent of all cases.
If you, or your friend, are at Columbia, call x4-2284 to make an
appointment with a health care provider for a check-up and a referral to
an allergist who can determine your individual needs.
- Alice
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Desensitization for allergies
