Hyposensitization 1

Hyposensibiliza- tion 1 (hyposensibilisatio; from hypo- + sensitization; synonym - desensitization) is a method of treating allergic diseases aimed at reducing the body’s sensitivity to a specific allergen.

The essence of the method is to administer small doses of the allergen that causes an allergic reaction to the patient, with a gradual increase in the dose. This leads to the fact that the immune system gets used to the allergen and stops producing excess amounts of immunoglobulin E antibodies, which are responsible for the development of allergies.

Hyposensitization is widely used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma and other diseases caused by plant pollen, animal dander, house mites and other common allergens. The effectiveness of the method has been proven by numerous clinical studies.

Hyposensitization (hypo- + lat. sensibilis sensitive, susceptible) is a weakening (temporarily or longer) of the body’s increased sensitivity to repeated influences of any allergen. According to this definition, during IST there is an inappropriately expressed reaction of the immune system to repeated exposure to allergens, which is accompanied by a hyperergic immune response. In the case of the latter, after exposure to an allergen, the production of specific antibodies increases, but this does not lead to the formation of specific immune memory by T lymphocytes, and, consequently, to immunological memory against the background of a heterologous allergen, an allergic lameness of the immune response is formed in both inbred and hybrid ( obtained from interspecific combinations) of organisms. Simply put, the body resembles an immune superorganism that behaves incorrectly towards all cells of its own body. Initial hyposensitization measures are aimed at eradicating the external cause of the allergy, followed by treatment with cytostatics and antibody-cytokines (for example, glucocorticoids are used to block allergy mediators). With the help of cytokines, normal biochemical processes are restored in the body. The use of antiallergic drugs may be most effective in combination with heterotoxic serums. The presence of several courses of IST on average either completely eliminates allergies or significantly reduces the body's sensitivity even after a single encounter with an allergen.