Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Permanent Treatment Options with Vaccine (Immunotherapy)
While nature comes alive with the arrival of spring for many people, for some patients this period is a time when allergic rhinitis (hay fever) complaints increase. This condition, which occurs especially during spring and early summer when pollen is intense, can seriously affect quality of life.
Hay fever is a chronic inflammatory disease that develops as a result of the immune system overreacting to harmless substances (mostly pollens).
Most common causative allergens:
- Tree pollens (early spring)
- Grass and weed pollens (late spring – early summer)
- Wild herb pollens (late summer)
What Are the Symptoms?
Hay fever symptoms generally appear seasonally:
- Constant sneezing
- Nasal discharge (clear, watery)
- Nasal congestion
- Itching in the nose and palate
- Redness, watering, and itching in the eyes
- Fatigue and deterioration in sleep quality
If left untreated for a long time, it can lead to complications such as sinusitis, middle ear problems, development or worsening of asthma.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made with clinical findings and allergy tests. Methods used:
- Skin prick test
- Specific IgE blood tests
Identification of the correct allergen is of critical importance, especially for vaccine treatment planning.
Treatment Options
1. Medical Treatment
To control symptoms:
- Antihistamines
- Nasal corticosteroid sprays
- Decongestants
However, these treatments suppress symptoms but do not eliminate the disease.
2. Vaccine Treatment (Allergen Immunotherapy) – Permanent Solution
The only disease-modifying treatment method in hay fever is allergen immunotherapy.
What Is Allergy Vaccine?
The substance causing the allergy (e.g. pollen) is given to the patient in controlled and increasing doses, enabling the immune system to develop tolerance against this substance.
Forms of Application
- Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT): Applied as an injection under the arm, administered in a hospital setting.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): Sublingual drops or tablet (first dose in hospital), can be applied at home.
Duration of Treatment
- Average 3–5 years
- Significant benefit begins from the first year
Advantages
- Changes the natural course of the disease
- Reduces the need for medication
- Can prevent the development of asthma
- Provides long-term permanent effect
Who Is It Suitable For?
- Patients whose allergen has been clearly identified
- Those with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis
- Those who do not benefit sufficiently from medical treatment
Scientific Perspective
According to international guidelines (ARIA – Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), immunotherapy:
- The most effective evidence-based long-term treatment in allergic rhinitis
- Has been shown to have a reducing effect on the development of asthma
- The only method that reprograms the immune system
Daily Life Protection Recommendations
- Avoid going outside during peak pollen hours (early morning)
- Take a shower and change clothes after coming home
- Use a HEPA filter air purifier
- Prefer pollen filters in the car and at home
Although hay fever is often seen as “just an allergy,” it is a disease that can become chronic and affect the lower respiratory tract if not properly managed. The allergy vaccine (immunotherapy) applied in suitable patients is a powerful treatment option that changes the course of the disease.
Prof. Dr. Elif Aksoy
ENT Diseases Specialist
Voice and Swallowing Disorders
