Advanced Allergy Desensitisation Treatment
Specialist Allergy Immunotherapy at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre
Allergy immunotherapy (also known as allergen-specific immunotherapy or allergy desensitisation) is an evidence-based treatment that addresses the underlying cause of allergic disease rather than simply relieving symptoms.
At the London Allergy and Immunology Centre, we provide personalised allergy immunotherapy programmes for adults and children with conditions such as:
✔ Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
✔ Dust mite allergy
✔ Pet allergy
✔ Insect sting allergy
✔ Allergic asthma
✔ Selected food allergies
Unlike antihistamines or nasal sprays, immunotherapy modifies the immune response, offering long-term improvement and potential disease modification.
What is Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy involves gradual exposure to small, controlled doses of an allergen to retrain the immune system to tolerate it.
Over time, the immune response shifts away from allergic inflammation, reducing symptoms and the need for medication.
Research shows that allergen immunotherapy stimulates regulatory T and B cells, which help suppress allergic reactions and restore immune tolerance.
According to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), allergen immunotherapy is currently the only treatment capable of modifying the natural course of allergic disease.
Types of Allergy Immunotherapy
There are two main types of immunotherapy used in modern allergy treatment.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
Sublingual immunotherapy involves placing allergen extracts under the tongue daily.
Benefits include:
✔ Convenient home administration
✔ Strong safety profile
✔ Suitable for children and adults
Clinical studies show SLIT significantly improves allergic rhinitis symptoms and reduces medication use compared with placebo.
SLIT is commonly used for:
✔ Grass pollen allergy
✔ Birch pollen allergy
✔ House dust mite allergy
Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
Subcutaneous immunotherapy involves regular allergy injections administered in clinic.
This treatment is often used for:
✔ Severe hay fever
✔ Dust mite allergy
✔ Insect venom allergy
Clinical trials demonstrate that SCIT can reduce allergic symptoms and medication requirements, particularly when treatment begins before the pollen season.
Conditions Treated with Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergen immunotherapy can be highly effective for several allergic conditions.
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Immunotherapy is widely used for patients with moderate to severe hay fever that does not respond well to medication.
Benefits may include:
✔ Reduced seasonal symptoms
✔ Less need for antihistamines and steroids
✔ Lower risk of developing asthma
Dust Mite Allergy
House dust mite allergy is a major cause of perennial allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.
EAACI clinical guidelines support allergen immunotherapy as an add-on treatment for dust mite-driven allergic asthma, particularly in patients whose symptoms remain uncontrolled with inhaled medication.
Allergic Asthma
Allergen immunotherapy may help improve asthma control in patients whose symptoms are triggered by environmental allergens such as:
✔ Pollen
✔ Dust mites
✔ Animal dander
Studies show immunotherapy can reduce airway inflammation and improve long-term asthma outcomes.
Insect Sting Allergy
Venom immunotherapy is one of the most effective allergy treatments available.
It can:
✔ Reduce the risk of severe reactions to bee or wasp stings
✔ Provide long-term protection against anaphylaxis
✔ Restore confidence for outdoor activities
How Allergy Immunotherapy Works
Allergic disease occurs when the immune system produces IgE antibodies against harmless environmental proteins.
Immunotherapy works by gradually re-educating the immune system through repeated controlled exposure.
This process:
✔ reduces IgE-mediated reactions
✔ increases protective IgG antibodies
✔ promotes immune tolerance
These immune changes can provide long-lasting benefits even after treatment ends.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Most immunotherapy programmes last 3 to 5 years.
The treatment process typically includes:
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Initial allergy assessment
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Allergy testing and diagnosis
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Personalised immunotherapy protocol
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Regular monitoring and follow-up
Many patients begin to notice improvement within the first pollen season or first year of treatment.
Is Allergy Immunotherapy Safe?
When prescribed and monitored by experienced allergy specialists, immunotherapy is considered safe and effective.
Common side effects may include:
✔ Mild itching in the mouth (SLIT)
✔ Local injection site reactions (SCIT)
Systemic reactions are uncommon and occur mainly with injection therapy, which is why SCIT is administered in specialist clinical settings.
Studies comparing SLIT and SCIT indicate that sublingual immunotherapy has a more favourable safety profile, while injections may have a slightly higher risk of systemic reactions.
Benefits of Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy offers several advantages compared with standard medications.
Potential benefits include:
✔ Long-term reduction of allergy symptoms
✔ Reduced reliance on medication
✔ Improved quality of life
✔ Prevention of new allergies
✔ Reduced progression from allergic rhinitis to asthma
EAACI guidelines also highlight the potential for immunotherapy to prevent the development of additional allergic conditions in some patients.
Who is Suitable for Immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy may be recommended for patients who:
✔ have confirmed IgE-mediated allergies
✔ experience moderate or severe symptoms
✔ do not respond adequately to medication
✔ prefer long-term disease-modifying treatment
Before starting treatment, patients undergo comprehensive allergy testing to identify the specific allergens responsible for symptoms.
Allergy Testing Before Immunotherapy
Accurate diagnosis is essential before starting immunotherapy.
Testing may include:
✔ Skin prick testing
✔ Specific IgE blood testing
✔ Component-resolved diagnostics
✔ Lung function tests for asthma
These investigations allow our specialists to design a personalised immunotherapy treatment plan.
Why Choose the London Allergy and Immunology Centre?
Our clinic provides specialist allergy care using the latest international guidelines and evidence-based treatments.
Patients choose our centre because we offer:
✔ internationally recognised allergy specialists
✔ advanced allergy diagnostics
✔ personalised immunotherapy protocols
✔ paediatric and adult allergy expertise
✔ remote consultations available across the UK
Our consultants actively follow EAACI and international allergy guidelines to ensure the highest standard of care.
Book an Allergy Immunotherapy Consultation
If you suffer from persistent hay fever, dust mite allergy, asthma or other allergic conditions, allergy immunotherapy may offer long-term relief.
Contact the London Allergy and Immunology Centre to arrange a consultation with one of our allergy specialists.
We offer:
✔ in-clinic consultations in London
✔ remote video consultations across the UK
✔ personalised treatment plans for adults and children