WHAT IS IMMUNOTHERAPY (ALLERGY VACCINE TREATMENT)?
Immunotherapy (vaccination) is a well-known treatment and prevention of bee allergic diseases (such as hay fever, severe allergic reaction due to sting). is the most effective method. With this form of treatment, approved by many reputable health institutions around the world, complaints disappear over time and the need to use medication gradually decreases. The allergy vaccine contains the substance to which the patient has previously been found to be allergic, and starting from very low amounts, it is gradually increased so that the body gets accustomed to this allergen. In this way, the substance that causes the disease is also used in the treatment of the disease. The vaccine contains only an allergy-causing substance dissolved in water and does not contain any other medication (such as cortisone) or substance. This treatment method can be applied in two ways: a subcutaneous injection and a pill that dissolves and is absorbed in the mouth. Application under the skin is a method that has been used for decades and its effectiveness is clearly known. In light of the developing technology and the studies presented in recent years, it has been shown that pills that dissolve in the mouth are also effective. However, the most preferred and trusted method all over the world is the application of treatment under the skin.
HOW IS IMMUNOTHERAPY (ALLERGY VACCINE TREATMENT) APPLIED?
Immunotherapy is applied in two ways
Injection under the skin (Subcutaneous immunotherapy)
Taken by mouth
The most important issue in treatment is patience. It is a treatment that lasts approximately 5 years and neglecting it for a while may result in restarting the treatment. There are two different commercial products that can be applied this way in our country. Both are applied with a fine-tipped needle in the area between the shoulder and elbow. The frequency of administration varies depending on the type of allergen and the booster in the vaccine. The most preferred method is initial treatment once a week for approximately 16 weeks and then continuing monthly. The total period should not be less than 3 years. It is often continued for 4-5 years. Apart from the treatment applied once a week, there are also application methods that can be applied 2-3 times a week or in which the effective dose is reached by hospitalization for 1 week. However, these methods can be done in very special cases with the cooperation of the patient and the physician.
Another way of immunotherapy is with vaccines taken orally. Commercial products that were dripped directly under the tongue in the past are not currently produced. There are pills that dissolve under the tongue, which have been available in our country for a few years and have been shown to be more practical and effective. However, it is only produced for a few allergens. It is a method applied by dissolving one pill under the tongue and eating or drinking something for half an hour every day, without the need to increase the dose regularly. Scientific articles report that this method is quite effective. However, the product is new and has only been available in our country for 2 years.
WHO SHOULD ALLERGY VACCINE APPLY?
The vaccination process only requires equipment that can intervene in possible side effects that may develop. It can be performed in health institutions with specialized facilities under the supervision and responsibility of allergy and clinical immunology specialists. This treatment cannot be applied in any way except by the physicians mentioned above who are not experts in this field. Remember that in this case, the expected benefit rate from the treatment may decrease and, most importantly, the incidence of possible side effects may increase. We recommend that you never have your treatment done by physicians other than allergy and/or immunology specialists, as it is not necessary to intervene immediately in case of side effects that may occur.
Very fine-tipped needles (insulin or tuberculin syringe) are used in the treatment administered in the form of injection. Your injections will be made subcutaneously in the upper arm at shoulder level. Almost no pain is felt during this treatment. When starting the process, the skin is disinfected with alcohol cotton. The fine-tipped syringe in question is applied to your arm at a 45-degree angle. The application is never made to the upper layers of the skin. In other words, when the injection is applied, a "rose bloom"-like skin swelling should not occur. These problems are never seen in clinics that specialize in treatment. However, you should still pay attention to these steps while applying your treatment.
In oral (sublingual) treatment, certain amounts of allergen solutions are dropped under the tongue or absorbed into an absorbent such as sugar cubes. It is expected that the sugar will melt in the mouth.
After the procedure, the patient should wait at least 25-30 minutes in the clinic where the procedure is performed to monitor any redness, swelling and/or itching that may occur at the injection site or to intervene in any excessive reaction that may occur. . After 30 minutes after the procedure, you can leave after having your vaccination site checked by the officer administering your vaccine.
ARE THERE RISKS OF VACCINE TREATMENT?
What may occur with vaccine treatment? Side effects or risks are extremely minimal if administration is done under the supervision of an allergist and/or clinical immunologist. For this reason, vaccination should be carried out in well-equipped health institutions and under the supervision of an allergist and clinical immunologist. If the vaccination will continue in an external center, it should be done under the responsibility of another specialist physician and in centers with emergency response conditions.
Expected side effects:
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Redness, swelling, rarely temporary nodules in the long term in the area where the vaccine is applied,
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If the vaccine is administered orally; numbness in the tongue and mouth, rarely abdominal pain,
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Nasal itching, nasal congestion, sneezing,
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Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath,
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Itching, redness, rash on the body,
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Although rare, a shock-like feeling of fainting may occur and medical treatment may be required. .
WHAT ARE THE DURATION AND EXPECTED BENEFITS OF THE ALLERGY VACCINE?
The vaccine should be used for at least 3 years, on average 5 years. Vaccine treatments applied in the right clinics with the right allergen and the right doses provide an average success rate of 80-90%. Although it varies from person to person, its positive effects begin after about a year. For this reason, as soon as vaccine treatment is started, the medications the patient is using should not be stopped immediately without consulting a physician. After one year, the medications the patient must use can be reduced under the supervision of a doctor. If the patient does not see significant benefit from this treatment within two years, vaccine treatment is discontinued.
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