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Treat Next Year's Fall Allergy Symptoms Now

Posted on: Thursday, 9 November 2006, 12:00 CST

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Are you finally feeling relief from fall allergy symptoms? To avoid suffering from severe allergy symptoms next year, begin immunotherapy now, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, from year to year. Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that can potentially decrease the symptoms of hay fever in someone who sufferers yearly from this allergy.

"Immunotherapy can lead to the long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms, and is successful in up to 90% of patients with hay fever," said Linda Cox, MD, FAAAAI, Chair of the AAAAI's Immunotherapy and Allergy Diagnostics Committee. "It also has been shown to prevent the development of new allergies and it can prevent the progression of allergic diseases such as hay fever and asthma."

Immunotherapy works like a vaccine. It involves injecting increasing amounts of an allergen into a patient over several months. The body responds to the injected amounts of the allergen by developing an immunity or tolerance to it. As a result, allergy symptoms can be decreased or minimized when the patient is exposed to that allergen in the future.

Immunotherapy is recommended for people with allergic asthma, rhinitis (hay fever), conjunctivitis and allergies to stinging insects.

When to see an allergy/asthma specialist

If you think immunotherapy could be beneficial to you, you should be examined by an allergist/immunologist. To find an allergist/immunologist in your area or to find additional information on immunotherapy, go to http://www.aaaai.org/ , or call the AAAAI's Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762.

The AAAAI's How the Allergist/Immunologist Can Help: Consultation and Referral Guidelines Citing the Evidence provide information to assist patients and health care professionals in determining when a patient may need consultation or ongoing specialty care by the allergist/immunologist. Patients should see an allergist/immunologist if they:

-- Have a clear relationship between asthma, rhinitis, or conjuntivitis and exposure to an unavoidable aeroallergen to which specific IgE antibodies have been demonstrated and have: - Poor response to pharmacotherapy or avoidance measures. - Unacceptable side effects of medications. - Desire to avoid long term pharmacotherapy. - Long duration of symptoms (perennial or major portion of the year). -- Are a child with allergic rhinitis, because of the potential preventive role of allergen immunotherapy in the progression of allergic disease.

The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site at http://www.aaaai.org/ .

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

CONTACT: Natalie Lemke of American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &Immunology, +1-414-272-6071, nlemke@aaaai.org

Web site: http://www.aaaai.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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