Allergy Immunotherapy (Desensitization) in Shenzhen — SCIT & SLIT Treatment

What Is Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT)?

Allergen immunotherapy is a disease-modifying option recognized by WHO and EAACI guidelines. By gradually exposing your immune system to increasing doses of the allergen you react to, AIT retrains the immune response toward long-term tolerance; individual outcomes vary.

AIT has been used in clinical practice for over 100 years. It is included in WHO position papers, EAACI guidelines, and Chinese national allergy treatment guidelines.

SCIT vs. SLIT: Two Delivery Methods

SCIT (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy)

How: Injections given at the clinic, typically weekly during build-up phase (3-6 months), then monthly during maintenance (3-5 years).

Pros: Well-established efficacy, precise dosing, directly supervised by medical staff.

Available for: Dust mites, specific pollens, animal dander.

SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy)

How: Drops placed under the tongue daily at home. No needles required.

Pros: Convenient home administration, good safety profile, particularly suitable for children.

Available for: Dust mites (NMPA-approved sublingual drops are available in China).

Treatment Timeline

Build-up Phase (3-6 months): Gradually increasing doses to reach your target maintenance dose.

Maintenance Phase (3-5 years): Regular doses at the target level to consolidate immune tolerance.

After Treatment: Long-term follow-up studies (Durham 1999; Jacobsen 2007) report continued benefit years after completing immunotherapy; individual outcomes vary.

Who Qualifies for Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is recommended for patients who:

Have confirmed IgE-mediated allergic disease (proven by testing)
Have moderate-to-severe symptoms not adequately controlled by medication
Want to reduce long-term medication dependence
Are aged 5 and above (SLIT may be suitable for younger children in some cases)
Have allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or insect venom allergy

What to Expect

Diagnostic Workup: Comprehensive allergy testing to confirm specific triggers.
Treatment Plan: Your doctor selects the appropriate allergen extract(s) and delivery method.
Build-up Phase: Gradually increasing doses under medical supervision.
Maintenance Phase: Continued treatment at a stable dose.
Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to assess progress and adjust as needed.

NMPA-Approved Extracts

We use only NMPA (National Medical Products Administration) approved standardized allergen extracts. Available allergens for immunotherapy in China include dust mite extracts (the most common trigger in southern China's humid climate).

Expected Outcomes

Reduction in symptom severity reported in placebo-controlled trials (Calderón 2007 Cochrane Review); individual response varies
Reduced need for rescue medications (antihistamines, nasal sprays)
Prevention of new sensitizations (developing allergies to additional allergens)
Reduced risk of allergic rhinitis progressing to asthma (the "allergic march")
Long-term disease modification that persists after treatment ends

Allergy Immunotherapy(Desensitization)