Alternative Treatments
Oral Treatments
The first type of treatment are oral treatments. This involves gradually introducing the immune system to an allergen in order to acclimate it. Extensive research is currently being done with this type of treatment. Therapies of this type are administered orally to adults and children as a powder, which is added to a food or drink or is placed under the tongue. The main principle behind this method is taking small doses regularly so the immune system can adjust to the allergen. Over weeks and months, the quantity of the doses is slowly increased Oral treatment research mostly is being done for milk and peanut allergies [1]. According to Robert Wood, chief of Allergy and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, oral-based therapies show the most promise. He obtained good results from powder formulas during his research with milk allergies [1].
Although administering doses orally and through injection may share similarities, there is a key difference. With injections, the body is introduced to small amounts of the allergen, between 10 and 100 milligrams. Contrastingly, oral doses are administered in whole gram increments [1]. Even though there are several advantages of oral treatments, there are a number of shortcomings and limitations for this treatment method. Because allergens are administered to patients, oral treatments may cause allergic-reaction symptoms. These symptoms can include stomach ache, itchy mouth, and hives. For these people these symptoms could be bad and uncomfortable. Any small amount can be dangerous for patients who are severely allergic to the allergen. It may especially cause discomfort in small children, who may not be as tolerant. Children may not be willing to tolerate short periods of discomfort for future benefits of the treatment [1]. |
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