Introducing Desensitisation Treatment for Allergies Including Hayfever

What are allergies, and why do they affect so many people?

Allergies are an exaggerated response by the immune system to usually harmless substances (allergens). The most common form of allergy is hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), commonly occurring in late Spring and Summer. Allergy symptoms typically include sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, blocked or runny nose, wheeze, and even fatigue or poor sleep. For many, it can interfere with work, school, social plans and outdoor activities, year after year. A study examining the link between hayfever and exam performance found that teenagers were 40-70% more likely to drop a grade than their non-allergic peers.

Diagram showing pollen types by month in the UK

How are allergies diagnosed?

We can often make the diagnosis based on your history, particularly if your symptoms follow a consistent pattern during the summer months. However, allergy testing can confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment decisions:

• Specific IgE blood test – Measures allergic antibody levels to grass pollen and other allergens.
• Skin prick testing – A small amount of allergen is applied to your skin, usually on your forearm, to check for a reaction. This is typically done in specialist clinics.

Testing is especially useful if you’re considering long-term treatments like desensitisation or want to know whether multiple allergens are involved.

How are allergies usually treated?

Most people start with antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, and eye drops. These help manage symptoms but don’t treat the root cause. For more severe or persistent cases, patients may still struggle despite the regular use of these medicines. For others, the side effects of traditional treatments are unacceptable or pose a risk to their long-term health, such as steroids and long-term risks of diabetes and cataracts. This is where desensitisation therapy can help.

What is desensitisation, and how does it work?

Desensitisation helps retrain your immune system to become less reactive to allergens over time. It involves exposing your body to tiny, controlled amounts of the allergen, gradually reducing the severity of your symptoms and sometimes eliminating them. Unlike antihistamines, desensitisation targets the underlying immune response, providing long-term relief.

What allergies can be treated by desensitisation?

A wide range of inhaled allergies can be treated. This includes:

• Hayfever (grass, tree, and weed pollen allergies)
• House dust mite allergies
• Pet allergies – cat, dog, horse
• Mould allergies
• Insect allergies
• And others

What are desensitisation medicines, and how are they used?

Desensitisation medications can take either a liquid or a tablet form. They both work in the same way. They are once-daily medications that are taken under the tongue and contain a very small dose of allergens you are allergic to. By exposing your immune system on a daily basis to this allergen, you desensitise the immune system over time. It works for both adults and children aged 5 and up and is typically taken daily for three years. For optimal effect, it is best to start desensitisation treatment before the allergy season.

How effective are desensitisation medicines?

There is a great deal of evidence behind the effectiveness of desensitisation medicines that target hayfever. They have been shown in multiple clinical trials to significantly reduce hay fever symptoms and the need for other allergy medications, as well as reversing the course of asthma resulting in a reduction of medications needed (and sometimes completely eliminating the need for any asthma medications). Many patients report noticeable improvement in their first season, with increasing benefits over the three-year course. Perhaps most impressively, studies show that these benefits can last for years even after treatment ends, making it a true disease-modifying option.

In cases of other allergens, although there isn’t as much evidence behind their effectiveness, we think they work on the same principles and therefore they are likely to be as effective (with preliminary data showing this to be the case).

That said, desensitisation is not for everyone. It works best in patients who are motivated, consistent with daily treatment, and have confirmed allergies. Your GP can help you assess whether it’s the right choice for you.

Who is a good candidate for desensitisation?

You might be suitable if:

• You have moderate to severe allergies that affect your daily life.
• You’ve tried standard treatments without good control.
• You have a confirmed allergy on testing.
• You’re ready for a longer-term treatment approach.

Children as young as 5 may also benefit, particularly if they are already needing regular medication each summer.

Can I start this treatment at Sloane Street Surgery?

Yes! We’re proud to now offer desensitisation for grass pollen here at Sloane Street Surgery. After initial assessment and allergy testing by your GP to decide if desensitisation therapy is right for you, the first dose is given during a routine GP appointment. We’ll then help you with the ongoing prescription and support you throughout the usual three-year course of treatment.

This service is offered in partnership with two world-leading allergy specialists, Professor Adam Fox and Professor Stephen Till from Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital, giving our patients access to the highest standard of allergy care within their trusted GP practice.

Are you ready to take control of your allergies?

If you’re tired of suffering from the sniffles, the headaches, and the lack of sleep, speak to a GP at Sloane Street Surgery to discuss allergy testing and whether desensitisation might be right for you or your child.

Relief could be just a conversation away. To book an appointment online use this link or give us a call on 0207 245 933.