Specific Immunotherapy in Zurich
Allergies to pollen, house dust mites, or insect venom? With specific immunotherapy, we gradually accustom your immune system to the triggering allergens. With long-term effects.
Immunotherapy
Clarify and treat chronic abscesses and painful nodules with an experienced dermatologist at the Derma Medical Clinic in Zurich - Sihlcity
Treating Allergies Long-Term
Allergies can significantly affect daily life and quality of life. Sufferers experience sneezing fits, watery eyes, respiratory problems, skin reactions, or other symptoms for years. Specific immunotherapy, also called allergy immunotherapy, familiarizes the immune system with the triggering allergen. The results: symptoms decrease, the need for medication drops. The basis of treatment is always an allergological assessment.
Treatment Options
Procedure
Examinations
Duration
Socially presentable after treatment
Sports, Swimming, Sauna
When Allergies Permanently Affect Daily Life
Most patients have had symptoms for years. The symptoms occur seasonally or year-round and accompany daily life.
It is not uncommon for symptoms to increase over the years. The airways can be more severely affected, and quality of life decreases due to sleep problems, concentration difficulties, or recurring symptoms. Specific immunotherapy can help to positively influence the course of certain allergies in the long term.
Why Allergies Develop
In an allergy, the immune system reacts to fundamentally harmless substances such as pollen or house dust mites. These are mistakenly classified as a threat and trigger defense reactions. Various messenger substances are released, causing symptoms in the nose, eyes, skin, or airways. The reactions can occur seasonally or throughout the year. Depending on the cause, symptoms are stronger outdoors than indoors or vice versa.
Specific Immunotherapy
When Is Specific Immunotherapy Useful?
Treatment is particularly suitable for pollen allergies, house dust mite allergies, or insect venom allergies. The prerequisite is that the symptoms can be clearly attributed to a specific allergen.
Which treatment approach?
Treatment is carried out through regular injections or through daily intake of tablets or drops. The allergen amount is administered in a controlled manner so that the immune system can slowly become accustomed to the trigger.
What happens during the treatment?
We perform allergological diagnostics with skin tests and, if necessary, blood tests. The appropriate preparation is then selected. Check-ups take place. Depending on the method, the therapy extends over several years.
Why Have Specific Immunotherapy Performed with Us?
Individual Allergy Analysis
We examine which allergens are responsible for the symptoms and whether immunotherapy is useful.
Experienced Doctors
Treatment is carried out by experienced specialists in dermatology and allergology with particular experience in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.
Modern diagnostics
We combine skin tests and blood tests with a detailed medical history and an individual assessment of symptoms.
Individual Consultation
Together we discuss the prospects of success, the duration of treatment, and the next sensible steps.
Procedure
Initial consultation & assessment
We take the time to carefully record your symptoms, previous treatments, and possible triggers. On this basis, we can gain a comprehensive picture of your individual situation and plan the next steps in a targeted manner.
Treatment plan
After diagnostics, we determine whether specific immunotherapy is useful and which method is most suitable.
Treatment
Depending on the allergy, therapy is carried out either through regular injections or through the intake of suitable preparations. Both forms are well established and are individually tailored to your situation and tolerance.
Check-ups & Support
During treatment, we closely monitor the progress and adjust the therapy if necessary.
"Allergies require clear diagnoses and therapy that works in everyday life."
Before starting specific immunotherapy, careful allergological diagnostics are carried out to clearly identify the triggering allergens. On this basis, an individually tailored treatment plan is created, which is regularly reviewed during the course and adjusted if necessary. Care and therapy planning are carried out by our specialist for specialized allergological care.
Dr. med. Markus Dendorfer specializes in the treatment of allergic diseases. His focus areas include allergy diagnostics, the treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, pediatric dermatology, and the combination of dermatological and allergological therapy.
What you can expect from us
Medical Expertise Meets Years of Experience
We combine modern allergy diagnostics with individual care throughout the entire treatment period.
Everything under one roof
Diagnostics, initiation of therapy, and regular follow-up checks take place at Derma Medical Clinic in Zurich.
Modern Allergy Diagnostics
We use skin tests, laboratory analyses, and conduct a comprehensive medical history. The goal: to classify your allergy as precisely as possible.
Individual planning instead of standard solutions
Every allergy presents differently. We tailor the therapy to your symptoms, the specific triggers, and your individual life situation.
What patients say about our treatment
Would you like to find out whether specific immunotherapy is right for you?
We are happy to advise you personally at Derma Medical Clinic in Zurich.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Specific Immunotherapy
What Is Specific Immunotherapy?
Specific immunotherapy (SIT) or allergy immunotherapy is a treatment that directly addresses the cause of certain allergies. The immune system is gradually accustomed to the triggering allergen. The allergic reaction becomes weaker in the long term.
For Which Allergies Is Specific Immunotherapy Suitable?
Specific immunotherapy is primarily used for the following allergies:
- Pollen allergy (hay fever)
- House dust mite allergy
- Insect venom allergy (bee and wasp stings)
- certain animal hair allergies
Many of our patients benefit from significantly fewer symptoms and a reduced need for medication. The hypersensitivity of the immune system is reduced in the long term and the natural course of the allergy is positively influenced.
How Long Does Specific Immunotherapy Last?
Treatment usually extends over three years. This duration has proven effective based on experience.
What Is the Difference Between Tablet Treatment and Injections?
With sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), tablets or drops are taken daily at home. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is carried out through injections at the clinic.
When Does the Effect Begin?
Most sufferers notice an improvement as early as the first year of treatment. The effect develops gradually during the course of therapy.
Can Specific Immunotherapy Prevent Asthma?
In some patients, early treatment can help reduce the risk of a so-called floor change. In this process, allergic symptoms spread from the nose and eyes to the lower airways.
Is the Treatment Also Suitable for Children?
Specific immunotherapy can be useful in childhood under certain conditions and after careful allergological assessment. At Derma Medical Clinic in Zurich, we also specialize in the treatment of children.
Does the Treatment Also Help with Animal Hair Allergies?
Immunotherapy may be possible for certain animal hair allergies. The prospects of success differ depending on the animal species and available preparation. We discuss these points individually as part of the allergological diagnostics.
Do I Still Have to Take Medication During Treatment?
At the beginning of therapy or during heavy pollen exposure, antiallergic medications may still be necessary. Many of our patients need them less frequently or in lower doses over time.
What Side Effects Can Occur?
Mild reactions at the injection site, itching in the mouth, or temporary local symptoms are possible. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Therefore, treatment is carried out under specialist medical supervision and with regular check-ups.
Can Treatment Be Started During Pollen Season?
This depends on the chosen preparation and the type of allergy. Some treatments are started before the pollen season begins, others can be started year-round.
When Should I See an Allergist?
If allergic symptoms occur repeatedly, medications do not help sufficiently, or quality of life is affected, an allergological assessment is recommended. An accurate diagnosis is the basis for effective treatment.
Is Specific Immunotherapy the Same as Hyposensitization?
Yes. The terms hyposensitization, desensitization, and specific immunotherapy describe the same treatment. Today, the term specific immunotherapy (SIT) or allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is usually used.
