Hayfever: Vaccinated, is it effective?

Pollen allergy (also called hay fever or hay) is not only an annoying companion, but is one of the most common disorders. Preventive measures, drug therapies and vaccines are three allies to combat the symptoms. In the case of vaccines, eight out of ten pollen allergies can be cured with specific immunotherapy and therefore get us to forget about them and so characteristic symptoms such as sneezing, fever or tearing.

Sensitivity and adverse response of our body to the pollens plant, mites (dust), some foods (gluten, egg allergy, lactose, among others) and medications. They are the main cause of allergies, so they are known as allergens.

The possibilities of developing a respiratory allergy – which often manifest as asthma, rhinitis – also have to do with genes. So, if we add genetic predisposition to high pollen levels that occur during a time of year, we have the perfect setting for the onset of allergy symptoms. Annoying and uncomfortable symptoms ranging from constant tearing, sneezing episodes of fever.

Pollen allergy is a disease that knows no age, because it can appear in childhood. Its evolution and incidence varies from one patient to another, while the severity of symptoms is usually related to the greater amount of pollen environmental.

Allergy to grass pollen, although its incidence is usually higher in the months of May and June, may make an appearance from several months earlier and last longer. Cases in that it is worth to consider the administration of vaccines.

In fact, according to doctors, eight out of ten pollen allergies can be cured with specific immunotherapy. A treatment that involves applying, once it has a detailed diagnosis, specific vaccines to induce tolerance to allergens by interfering with the course of the disease through a series of changes in the immune system that allow curb symptoms. The treatment lasts between 3 and 5 years, which should be completed even if you notice the remission of symptoms in the first months. An incomplete treatment can cause relapses.

Types of vaccines

Preventive measures and to review the diet and go for a nutritional anti-allergy plan, the most effective is to stay away from the allergen. However, this is not always possible, so you have to look for alternatives to combat the symptoms. Vaccines are an effective, not only because they help relieve allergy, but because they will help us to reduce the intake of medications (antihistamines, among others).

Injectable vaccines administered subcutaneously or are the most common, both its effectiveness and its tolerance. Alternatively, the so-called sublingual vaccines, more manageable (the tablet is placed under the tongue and dissolves in the mouth), especially in the case of children who are reluctant to needles. Both vaccines are well tolerated by patients. For sublingual vaccine it may be some mild side effects, such as itching in the mouth, throat and ears after taking the tablet.

It is estimated, according to doctors, that 10% of the population is allergic to pollen and half need treatment.