Question
My child has been suffering from recurrent cough for nearly two years. Whenever they cough, there is a urinary sound and wheezing. Allergy tests show high levels of dust mites and pollen mites. The doctor suspects asthma and asks about how to proceed with desensitization treatment, as well as the potential effects of long-term inhaled corticosteroids on the body.
Answer
Desensitization treatment, also known as specific immunotherapy or allergen immunotherapy, involves preparing extracts of the allergen after confirming the patient’s allergic disease, then formulating them into different concentrations and types of solutions. The doses and concentrations are gradually increased, allowing the patient to repeatedly come into contact with the allergen to improve tolerance. This way, upon subsequent exposure to the same allergen, it is possible that allergic symptoms may not occur, or if they do, they will be less severe.