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Pollen is a persistent problem for many people in the UK. Every summer, they must prepare for a season of itchy eyes and runny noses. For some, the reaction to the plant powder may seem unbearable, which hinders concentration at work and makes rest in the summer evenings impossible. Although a wide range of treatment options is available, the persistent nature of hay fever can make the symptoms persist despite everyone's best efforts to overcome it.
For people who have apparently exhausted all options, immunotherapy could do the trick.
According to a study published in the journal JAMA, patients with hay fever could significantly reduce symptoms for several years after three years of treatment, but not after two years of treatment.
Previous research has shown that a type of immunotherapy exposing patients to increasing amounts of grbad pollen over time is an effective way of reducing serious symptoms in the long run.
But in the study, scientists at Imperial College London found that a two-year treatment was not enough to achieve long-lasting effects, which supports earlier findings that it takes longer to take the drug in order to obtain a lasting profit.
"You treat patients for three years and then their hay fever has dramatically improved for several years," said Professor Stephen Durham, head of allergy and clinical immunology at the Institute. National Heart and Lungs at Imperial Oil and responsible for allergy services. at the Royal Brompton Hospital, who led the study.
"Exposing people to grbad pollen in this way is a very effective treatment for people who really have debilitating hay fever."
Grbad pollen, which the body recognizes as an invader, is the main cause of hay fever, triggering an immune response.
A number of over-the-counter medications are available, such as nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets, but patients with more severe symptoms can be treated with immunotherapy, using an approach similar to that tested in children allergic to peanuts.
By exposing their immune system to grbad pollen extracts over time, they are able to enhance their resistance either by injection or by a pill containing pollen extract.
Researchers have tested the effectiveness of two immunotherapies prescribed by the NHS using grbad pollen extract: an injection and a pill under the tongue.
After two years of treatment, the results showed that both treatments were effective in treating symptoms, with patients reporting a dramatic improvement in their quality of life. However, one year after the patients stopped taking this drug, the effects were not better than those in the placebo group.
"Hay fever causes major problems with sleep, work, school performance and recreation during what most of us are the best time of year," said Professor Durham.
Most people respond to the usual antihistamines and nasal aerosols, although some patients do not respond well or have unacceptable side effects. "
Describing the current results, Professor Durham said, "This study shows that while both treatments of immunotherapy were very effective, two years of treatment were insufficient for long-term benefits.
"Clinicians and patients should continue to follow international guidelines that recommend treatment for at least three years."
Earlier studies published by Imperial researchers have shown the long-term benefits of immunotherapy injections and severe hay fever pills – benefits that persist for at least two to three years after the ### ############################################################################# 39, discontinuation of treatment.
Professor Durham added, "We have reconfirmed that both treatments are effective but that to achieve the long-term clinical benefits after stopping treatment, you must take it for three years."
At the first stopover, the NHS recommends taking the following steps to alleviate the symptoms:
- Put vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglbades to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes.
- Shower and change clothes after being outside to wash pollen
- Stay inside as much as possible
- Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Buy a pollen filter for the vents of your car and a vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter
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