Desensitization offers safe relief for hay fever, says review
Allergy shots are safe and effective for relieving symptoms of hay fever, according to a new release. The injection series caused no deaths and few serious adverse reactions in 51 controlled trials. Dr. Moises Calderon, of Royal Brompton Hospital in London, and colleagues examined the results of four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis by pollen from trees, grass or weed causes. The studies were 2871 participants. The study appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.Systematic reviews draw conclusions on the basis of medical practice after considering the content and quality of existing medical trials on
a topic.Hay fever or allergic rhinitis, is an immune reaction to allergens such as dust, pollen, animal dander or mold. Usually results in sneezing, watery eyes and nose, itchy, sticky when patients come into contact with their allergy triggers. The incidence of hay fever has increased worldwide over the past two decades, particularly in developed countries. Some patients can control their allergic symptoms by avoiding allergy triggers or by taking antihistamines or other drugs, including nasal steroids.Other patients need stronger measures.
In allergy shot regimens, also known as immunotherapy, small amounts of an allergen such as pollen, is injected under the skin, with the dose gradually increased during treatment. The injections may contain one or more allergens.
After initial treatment, the patient undergoes a series of maintenance injections over the next few years. This essentially desensitizes the patient to the allergen. But the death or serious adverse reactions to immunotherapy have been reported, causing its use is limited in some parts of the world.However, the Cochrane reviewers found that the injections resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms and less
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