Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: paul.fr on 21/08/2007 19:28:18
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If you are allergic to something, could being exposed to whatever you are allergic to in everincreasing doses cure your allergy?
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They had a pill like that for poison oak called immune oak. It worked great for us as kids but apparently it was hazardous to others and I think it was pulled off the market. It was sold in three tiny vials and it tasted like very bitter tea! It was made from the poison oak it self. It made an intense reaction at first then went away!
You took one vial say 2:00 PM then the next day at same time you took second vial, then the third vial was within two or three days. taken two weeks later on the same day and time.
You were supposed to take it before exposure. My mom gave it to us at the first sign, which actually made the reaction much worse at first then it went away!
I have not had it again sense..wait I actually got it once after my second child it was mild in comparison to me husband who peed on it! LOL
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If you are allergic to something, could being exposed to whatever you are allergic to in everincreasing doses cure your allergy?
I have heard quite a lot of stories about desensitising people to allergens, but as Karen has pointed out, it can be very dangerous if not managed properly, and sometimes works better than other times.
Anecdotally, I know several people who have cat allergies, but claim the allergies disappear when they own their own cats, and are constantly exposed to them - but when they live in a cat free house, and visit other people's homes with cats in, then they have an allergic reaction.
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ermm, i wonder what type of allergy they have the most success with? And like you and Karen say, what they have the worst reaction with.
I seem to recall a NS episode where they reported that cats are now being bred without..something..the bit that makes you allergic to them...they were quite expensive though
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It is usually the dander, flakes of skin and not the hair!
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyposensitization#Indications_for_Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is indicated for patients with dangerous allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to stinging insects like bees, wasps, and the imported South American Fire Ant. It may also be indicated for patients with hay fever or asthma in whom it is difficult or impossible to successfully avoid the cause; Medication does not work; Medication causes side-effects; An alternative to medication is needed. Immunotherapy is occasionally recommended for the treatment of atopic eczema. It is not currently recommended for the treatment of food allergy, or for insect or tick bites, because it doesn't appear to work. There are commercial extracts available for the imported South American Fire Ant which was identified for the first time in Australia during 2002. Unfortunately, there are no commercially available vaccines yet for the Australian Jumper Ant, although research in this area is under way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyposensitization#Age_Considerations
Immunotherapy injections work in both children and adults. They are generally safe to give to pregnant women. Some doctors recommend stopping treatment during pregnancy. This is not because immunotherapy could cause malformations in the developing baby, but because of the concern that, in the case of a rare adverse reaction to the treatment, the fetus may suffer from oxygen deprivation. When dangerous allergic reactions to insect stings occur, immunotherapy may be advised regardless of age. In older patients, immunotherapy may not be recommended as they may have a reduced capacity to cope with side-effects. When treating non-life threatening allergies like hay fever, young children may be difficult to convince of the benefits. Nevertheless, research suggests that immunotherapy is especially effective when started early in life, soon after the development of allergies. The evidence is particularly strong that, in children, immunotherapy prevents future sensitization (the development of new allergies).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyposensitization#Side_Effects_and_Adverse_Reactions
Itchiness, swelling, and redness at the site of injection are expected. Systemic reactions such as hives or anaphylaxis occur rarely and need to be treated immediately. If such reactions occur, the allergy specialist will adjust the dosage to a safe level. Patients are advised or required to wait in the clinic for 20-30 minutes so that they can be treated immediately in the case that they develop a severe systemic reaction. The risk of a systemic reaction is reduced if the patient avoids exercising or overheating for a few hours before and after the procedure. Some heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers are contraindicated as well.
The physician should be consulted if the patient notices a worsening of allergy symptoms or if he or she is suffering from a cold or has been undergoing a different kind of vaccination procedure. Immunotherapy does not increase the risk of contracting a cold.
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Thanks, George.
Now Anastasia has hayfever and asthma, so this bit is interesting.
with hay fever or asthma in whom it is difficult or impossible to successfully avoid the cause; Medication does not work; Medication causes side-effects
I have noticed that on her old hayfever medication she never seemed to "get better" and on sunny high pollen count days were were pretty much housebound.
Yet on days that i forgot to give her the medecine she was fine. i always thought that strange.
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That is very good information George!