Allergology
Allergies to pollen, food or chemical substances have been on the rise for years and are gradually becoming a widespread disease. The causes of allergies are manifold: genetics and epigenetic factors such as the early exposure of the immune system to microbes, diet, but also climatic changes and increasing air pollution play a role in the development of allergies. In addition, we can observe that people in the third stage of life are also confronted with the occurrence of allergic diseases for the first time.
The prerequisite for targeted allergy treatment is a precise medical history and precise diagnostics using standardized allergological test procedures.
Allergy diagnostics
Pollen, food, animal hair, house dust mites or nickel, latex and other substances (preservatives, chemicals, medicines, etc.) can trigger allergies and physical reactions.
If you suffer from an allergy or suspect that you have an allergic reaction, you can have a comprehensive examination with us. Only if the trigger or triggers are known can you receive targeted treatment.
The following diagnostic procedures are available:
Prick test
Small amounts of allergy-triggering substances are injected under the skin with fine needles - usually on the forearm. If (harmless) redness or wheals develop after less than half an hour, this indicates that an allergic reaction has taken place and that the substance injected there is the trigger.
Epicutaneous test
Here, plasters containing small amounts of the possible allergy triggers are stuck to the skin. Patients usually wear these patches for three to four days. If symptoms such as redness, swelling or itching occur during this time, this indicates an allergy to the substance in question.
RAST test
The radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) is a diagnostic procedure used to detect specific class E antibodies directed against the allergen tested (e.g. certain pollens, house dust mite excrement, animal allergens, etc.) when clarifying an allergy.
Hyposensitization
Hyposensitization is an effective method of treating allergies. The body gradually becomes accustomed to the allergy trigger(s). This makes it possible to get rid of a whole range of allergy types for a long time or even permanently.
The method has proven particularly effective for allergies to pollen (hay fever), animal hair, insect venom, molds and house dust mites. However, more and more medications are being developed - it is now even possible to "vaccinate" against peanut allergies.
Hyposensitization is particularly advisable for hay fever. If left untreated, a pollen allergy can develop into allergic asthma.
How does hyposensitization work?
The allergy-triggering substance is administered in tiny amounts either by injection or in the form of drops or tablets. This is done at set times - usually once a week at first, later at longer intervals. The immune system gradually "gets used" to the substance and eventually stops its allergic overreaction.
After administration of the hypersensitizing agent, it is necessary to remain in the practice for half an hour so that we can react immediately to (rare) complications such as swelling.
If drops or tablets are an option (such as the "grass tablet" against several hay fever triggers), these can also be taken at home during the course of treatment according to a set schedule.
Depending on the allergy trigger(s), therapy can be completed after just a few months, but can sometimes take years.