is not the same a mild itchy eyes or a few sneezes those allergy crises that leave the person knocked out that suffers them on the days of greatest pollination.
Itchy and watery eyes it can be so intense that they become inflamed and you can barely see. sneezing attacks they are so strong that they paralyze you the moment you suffer them.
- Not to mention the asma, a more serious symptom that can appear if the allergy worsens over the years.
In Spain there are 8 million allergic to pollen
In these cases, the antihistamines are little more than balsamic candy for an allergy sufferer. And all he has to do is lock himself up at home (something that, on the other hand, is easier these days) and make sure that not even a particle of pollen enters through windows, doors…
Faced with a situation of these characteristics is when the vaccine can be the solution. He Dr. Angel Moral de Gregorio, president of Aerobiology Committee of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), explains to Saber vivir that “immunotherapy is the only thing that can really cure allergies, the only thing that can change the course of the disease”.
“Many patients improve and in 30% of cases the symptoms disappear totally, except for some days when pollen levels can be very high”says the specialist.
who may need allergy shot
“When treating an allergic – explains Dr. Moral-, it is normal to start with administer anhistamines (drugs aimed at reducing symptoms) and see how he responds. And if they don’t work and the symptoms intensify, they opt for immunotherapy”.
30% do not have symptoms again with the vaccine
“But sometimes we get allergic with pictures so intense that we choose directly by the vaccine”concludes.
How immunotherapy works
Allergy is a exaggerated response of our defenses before a substance that he identifies as dangerous. The process that takes place in our body is as follows:
- The first time contact occursthe foreign substance or allergen enters the body through the skin, the digestive tract, the respiratory tract or the eyes.
- cells of the immune system (lymphocytes) react excessively to said allergen, when under normal conditions they would neutralize it without further ado.
- They make antibodies called IgE (immunoglobulin E) which are warnings for the defenses.
- These antibodies or notices they are memorized in the lymphocyte so that it acts when it detects the allergen again.
In the following contacts:
- the foreign substance it is immediately identified and intercepted by the defenses.
- Defenses release histamine in an exaggerated way to neutralize it. And the body responds with symptoms such as itching, difficulty breathing…
Well then, “What the vaccine does is block IgE antibodies, so that the patient will have fewer symptoms when exposed to pollen. At first you may still need antihistamines, but over time less or none at all. In reality, what immunotherapy achieves is that you tolerate pollen levels better and better”, explains Dr. moral
different types of vaccine
If you are a candidate to get vaccinated, obviously you must first perform skin tests to identify just the pollens that cause you allergy.
There are currently two types of vaccines:
- Sublingual: They are administered by means of a liquid preparation that is deposited on top of the tongue. You can take them yourself at home. The doses are 4 or 5 a week for 4 months a year, and for 4 or 5 years.
- Subcutaneous: They are injected into the back of the arm and given once a month for 4 to 5 years.
“Today’s vaccines are much less cumbersome than they were a few years ago: the injectables were weekly and the patient had to go every week to get it, while now it is only once a month“, clarifies the specialist.
The best time to get the vaccine
Dr. Moral explains that years ago the vaccines began to be given from October or November, and so when the month of March or April arrived, the allergic person was protected, but currently this strategy is changing because there are patients who have symptoms all the time. anus. And it is that he pollination schedule of the plants that cause the most problems spans many months:
- cypresses and arizonicas They start giving problems in November and end in April. They abound in urbanizations, cemeteries…
- The shadow plane pollen concentration increases at the end of March and beginning of April. It is found mostly in big cities.
- the room alone causes allergies in the summer months.
For this reason, explains Dr. Moral, “There is no longer an ideal time of year to start vaccinating, treatment is started when the patient arrives for consultation and if it is considered necessary due to the intensity of the symptoms”.
Are there any contraindications?
No. To the women who have started immunotherapy treatment and become pregnant Treatment is not suspended either, although if they have to start it and are pregnant, the advice is to wait.
Does the vaccine have side effects?
- Sublingual Vaccines They can cause a small itch at the beginning of the treatment that disappears over time.
- The injected ones can give inflammation or redness in the area, but with ice or a local corticosteroid cream it disappears. In summary, nothing important that forces to suspend the treatment.
What if the allergy vaccine coincides with that of the covid?
“In the case of injected vaccinesit is recommended allow about 7-10 days to pass between the dose of the allergy vaccine and that of the coronavirus vaccine”he explains Dr David BaqueroSEAIC communication coordinator.
- In the case of sublingual vaccinesmust be omit the dose on the same day of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, recommend from the entity. And if the coronavirus vaccine produced side effects, “it is recommended to postpone resumption of sublingual vaccination until resolution of such effects (usually 1-3 days)”qualifies the specialist.
