We are delighted to offer Specialist immunotherapy for pollen, house dust mite and animal allergies at both our Hampshire and Belfast Clinics.
At Dr Helen Allergy we are experienced in diagnosing and treating environmental allergies, including house dust mite, grass and other pollens, and animal allergens such as cat, dog and horse.
If you wish to book an Immunotherapy consultation please email info@drhelenallergy.co.uk or call 01202 022 956, to arrange an appointment with Dr Helen or one of her team. These appointments can take place either face to face or virtually.
We provide a personalised approach to allergy diagnosis and treatment, helping you understand your allergy and whether immunotherapy is appropriate for you.
If you wish to book an Immunotherapy consultation please email info@drhelenallergy.co.uk or call 01202 022 956, to arrange an appointment with Dr Helen or one of her team. These appointments can take place either face to face or virtually.
Environmental allergies occur when your immune system reacts to an allergen in your surroundings. These allergens are generally harmless to most people but can trigger an immune response in those who are sensitised.
Common environmental allergens include:
Environmental allergies are a common cause of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and can also contribute to or worsen allergic asthma.
Symptoms may occur throughout the year, as with house dust mite allergy, or at particular times of the year, as with seasonal pollen allergies.
Environmental allergy symptoms can affect the nose, eyes, throat and lungs.
You may experience:
Some people also find that their symptoms affect their sleep, concentration, energy levels and general wellbeing.
Understanding exactly which allergen is responsible for your symptoms is an important first step before considering immunotherapy.
Allergen immunotherapy, sometimes called desensitisation, is a specialist treatment that aims to change the immune system’s response to a particular allergen.
Rather than simply treating allergy symptoms, immunotherapy involves giving carefully controlled doses of the relevant allergen over an extended period. Repeated exposure can gradually make the immune system less sensitive to the allergen.
For suitable patients, this can reduce the severity of allergic symptoms and the need for symptomatic medication.
Environmental immunotherapy is an established treatment option for selected patients with conditions such as allergic rhinitis and certain forms of allergic asthma.
It is important to understand that immunotherapy is not suitable for everyone and is not a simple “cure” for allergy. Careful diagnosis and specialist assessment are essential.
If you wish to book an Immunotherapy consultation please email info@drhelenallergy.co.uk or call 01202 022 956, to arrange an appointment with Dr Helen or one of her team. These appointments can take place either face to face or virtually.
House dust mites are microscopic organisms commonly found in household environments, particularly in mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture.
Unlike pollen allergy, house dust mite allergy can cause symptoms throughout the year.
Common symptoms include:
Symptoms may be particularly noticeable overnight or first thing in the morning.
For appropriately selected patients with confirmed house dust mite allergy, house dust mite immunotherapy may be considered when symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate conventional treatment.
Pollen is one of the most common causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever.
In the UK, grass pollen is a particularly important allergen, although tree and weed pollens can also cause significant symptoms.
Pollen allergy can cause:
For patients with significant, confirmed pollen allergy, pollen immunotherapy may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. It is usually started several months outside of pollen season, otherwise it increases the risk of side effects from the medication. It is given as a dissolvable tablet, drop or spray and benefit is usually seen after just 8-14 weeks. The treatment needs to be continued for three years in order for the benefit to be sustained long term.
Animal allergies can cause significant symptoms following exposure to animals or environments where animal allergens are present.
Cat and dog allergens can be found not only on the animal itself but also in the wider environment, including clothing, furniture and indoor spaces.
Horse allergy can cause symptoms following contact with horses or exposure to environments such as stables.
Symptoms can include:
Where there is a confirmed clinically relevant animal allergy and significant symptoms, allergy immunotherapy may be considered in selected patients. Immunotherapy is available to treat those with dog, cat or horse allergies.
These medications are given daily as a drop or spray to change the immune system and modify the response to these animals which are meant to be harmless.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) involves placing a carefully measured allergen preparation under the tongue.
Treatment is generally initiated under medical supervision, with ongoing doses taken regularly at home according to the prescribed treatment schedule.
SLIT has been shown to be both safe and effective for the treatment of environmental allergies.
Environmental immunotherapy may be considered when:
Not everyone with a positive allergy test will benefit from immunotherapy.
A positive test needs to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical history, then a decision regarding your treatment can be made.
* An initial consultation and allergy testing will be required before any immunotherapy can proceed.
The costs for environmental immunotherapy includes all follow ups. Please see the immunotherapy page for more detail.
**Food immunotherapy is available for peanuts, treenuts, sesame, pea, lentil, chickpea, mustard, pinenut, milk, egg, soya, kiwi and coconut with Dr Helen and her team in Ringwood, Hampshire or Belfast, Ireland. This is available for all ages.
It may be possible for some dose increases to be done at home. This will be discussed during an assessment appointment.
If you need treatment for a food not listed, then please ask.
Please note that sibling discounts are possible, please email for details.
All those enrolling for treatment with us, will also receive one year’s free access to our Allergy Membership for daily support. See here for details.
If you wish to book an Immunotherapy consultation please email info@drhelenallergy.co.uk or call 01202 022 956, to arrange an appointment with Dr Helen or one of her team. These appointments can take place either face to face or virtually.
Environmental immunotherapy is a specialist treatment designed to reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to a specific environmental allergen. Carefully controlled doses of the allergen are administered regularly over a period of time with the aim of reducing allergic symptoms.
Yes. Immunotherapy can be considered for selected patients with significant pollen allergy, including grass pollen allergy. It is generally considered when symptoms are troublesome despite appropriate medication or when conventional treatment is not suitable or well tolerated.
Yes. House dust mite immunotherapy is an established treatment option for appropriately selected patients with confirmed house dust mite allergy and clinically significant symptoms.
Immunotherapy may be considered for selected patients with confirmed animal allergy. However, the suitability and evidence for immunotherapy can vary depending on the allergen and individual circumstances. A specialist assessment is therefore important.
Horse allergy can cause significant respiratory and nasal symptoms in some people. Immunotherapy may be considered in selected cases following specialist assessment.
Not exactly. Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen, whereas environmental allergies can also include house dust mite and animal allergens. Immunotherapy can be used for a range of environmental allergies, depending on the allergen and the individual patient.
Environmental immunotherapy can be given as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), where the allergen is administered under the tongue, or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), where the allergen is administered by injection.
At Dr Helen Allergy we use SLIT to treat environmental allergies due to the favourable safety profile of this method.
Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment rather than a quick fix. Treatment programmes generally extend over several years, although the exact schedule depends on the allergen, treatment used and individual circumstances.
Your consultant will discuss the expected treatment duration with you before treatment begins.
Immunotherapy should not be thought of as a guaranteed cure. Its aim is to modify the immune response to the relevant allergen, reducing sensitivity and, for suitable patients, the severity and impact of allergy symptoms.
The response varies between individuals.
Immunotherapy is generally well tolerated when appropriately prescribed and administered, but allergic reactions can occur. This is why treatment should only be started following specialist assessment and administered according to an appropriate clinical protocol.
Immunotherapy can be an option for some children with significant environmental allergies, but suitability depends on factors including age, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history and the child’s ability to follow the treatment programme.
A paediatric allergy assessment is recommended before considering treatment.
If environmental allergies are affecting your quality of life, Dr Helen Allergy can provide a comprehensive assessment and discuss whether allergy immunotherapy could be appropriate for you or your child.
Whether your symptoms are triggered by house dust mite, grass or other pollens, cat, dog, horse or another environmental allergen, we can help you understand your diagnosis and explore your treatment options.
Contact us to arrange a specialist allergy consultation.
Environmental immunotherapy is a specialist treatment and is not suitable for everyone. Treatment recommendations are individualised and will depend on your diagnosis, clinical history, relevant allergy testing and assessment by an appropriately trained allergy specialist.
