Rhinitis vaccine: when it is indicated, how it works and side effects

Rhinitis vaccine: when it is indicated, how it works and side effects

Illnesses

The anti-allergy vaccine, also called specific immunotherapy, is a treatment capable of controlling allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, and consists of administering injections with allergens, which are administered in increasing doses, in order to reduce the sensitivity of the person allergic to these allergens that cause rhinitis.

Allergy is an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to certain substances that the body perceives as invasive and harmful. People who are most likely to have allergies are those who have respiratory diseases such as asthma, rhinitis or sinusitis.

In addition to allergic rhinitis, specific immunotherapy can also be applied to conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, latex allergy, allergic reactions to insect bite venom or other IgE-mediated hypersensitivity diseases.

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When is indicated

The rhinitis vaccine is indicated for people who suffer from exaggerated allergic reactions that can be controlled, such as allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis and allergy to insect bites. The most recommended situations for carrying out this type of treatment in people with allergic rhinitis are:

  • Medicines or preventive measures are not sufficient to control exposure;
  • The person does not want to take medications long term;
  • Intolerance to side effects of medication treatment;
  • In addition to rhinitis, the person also suffers from asthma.

The rhinitis vaccine is available in private clinics and must be recommended by a doctor, who can indicate the concentration and allergen and the most appropriate treatment time. See other forms of treatment for rhinitis.

Make an appointment with the nearest allergist to evaluate the possibility of using the injection for rhinitis:

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How it works

Vaccine administration must be individualized for each patient. The choice of the allergen must be made by identifying specific IgE antibodies, through allergy tests, which allow a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the allergy, giving preference to environmental allergens prevalent in the region where the person lives.

The initial dose must be adapted to the person’s sensitivity and then the doses must be progressively increased and administered at regular intervals, until a maintenance dose is reached.

Treatment time may vary from one person to another, because the treatment is individualized. These injections are generally well tolerated and do not produce serious side effects, although in some cases rash and redness of the skin may occur. Learn more about allergy injections.

Who should not undergo treatment

Treatment with rhinitis injection should not be carried out in people with corticosteroid-dependent asthma, severe atopic dermatitis, pregnant women, children under 2 years of age and the elderly.

Furthermore, specific immunotherapy is also not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases, severe psychological disorders, who use beta-adrenergic blockers, with non-IgE-mediated allergic disease and risk conditions for the use of epinephrine.

Possible side effects

Some of the effects that may occur during treatment, especially 30 minutes after receiving the injections, are a red spot on the skin, swelling and itching at the injection site, sneezing, coughing, diffuse erythema, hives and difficulty breathing.

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Bibliography
  • BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY. Immunotherapy – Questions and Answers. Available at: <https://asbai.org.br/imunoterapia-perguntas-e-respostas/>. Accessed on 23 Nov 2021
  • Guidance Standards on Specific Immunotherapy. Rev Port Imunoallergology. Vol.19. 4.ed; 100-213, 2011
  • IAPO MANUAL OF PEDIATRIC OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY. Specific immunotherapy with allergens in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Available at: <http://www.iapo.org.br/manuals/VI_Manual_br_Imunoterapia%20especifica.pdf>. Accessed on March 20, 2020
  • Nunes, Carlos et al. at the.. Guidance Standards on Specific Immunotherapy. PORTUGUESE JOURNAL OF IMUNOALLERGOLOGY. 19. 4; 199-213, 2011
  • BRAZILIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND FEDERAL MEDICINE COUNCIL. Allergies: Specific Immunotherapy. 2002. Available at: <https://diretrizes.amb.org.br/_BibliotecaAntiga/alergias-imunoterapia-especifica.pdf>. Accessed on November 12, 2019