Cluster immunotherapy – how to become “not allergic” faster!
Immunotherapy is a type of therapy that involves administering the substance (example – cat hair) that a person is allergic to in order to become “not allergic”. The allergenic substance is usually given once per week, and the dose is slowly and steadily increased until a “maintenance” dose is reached. It is at this top dose that the greatest benefit occurs to the patient, and it usually requires 5 to 6 months to reach this point. Unlike typical medications, like antihistamines, immunotherapy actually helps to cure the underlying allergic condition.
Cluster immunotherapy follows the same general principal, but is administered over a much more rapid time frame. Shots are given in “clusters” of 2 to 3 at a time, 2 to 3 times per week. In this way, a patient is able to reach their maintenance dose of immunotherapy in as little as 3 to 4 weeks. This is ideal if a person will be traveling abroad in the near future and have limited time for the therapy to work, or if they will be facing a severe allergy season in the spring or fall and want to be prepared for what lies ahead.
Allergy Medical Clinic routinely uses this novel and progressive approach to immunotherapy. If you are interested, please call to find out more.
Dr. Jonathan Corren was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with honors in Biology and then completed his medical training at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.