Allergy treatments

Different case management options for allergies:

Eviction of allergens is the primary recommended solution: by eradicating all contact with the allergen, the triggering of symptoms can be avoided. This can be the ideal solution but it is difficult to put into practice as formal identity of the symptom-causing allergen is required. The task becomes complicated and even impossible in cases of allergies to pollens.

Symptomatic treatments prescribed first line by the general practitioner aim at reducing the severity of the symptoms and are given to reduce inflammation caused by the allergy.
Despite the recognised efficacy of symptomatic treatments on allergic symptoms they offer no long-term benefits (symptoms return as soon as the treatment is stopped). This makes symptomatic treatment inadequate in cases of severe respiratory allergies, moreover, this type of treatment has no impact on the natural progression of the disease.

Allergenic immunotherapy (desensitisation) is the only treatment to date that controls the disease and stops its natural progression. By modifying the immune system long-term, this treatment eventually enables the body to better tolerate the presence of allergens.  Previously this treatment was based on doctors’ own experiences but presently it is perfectly documented by an international consensus governed by the World Health Organisation and has reached previously unequalled evidence levels in compliance with the requirements of Evidence Based Medicine.