[Possibilities and limitations of hyposensitization treatment in airway allergies]

Beside pharmacotherapy specific hyposensitization is well accepted in the treatment of allergic airway diseases. During the therapy allergen extracts are injected in low concentrations subcutaneously, and dosage is gradually increased in order to induce clinical tolerance in patients. For pollinosis the efficacy of the therapy is well documented, although its immunological mechanisms are not known up to now. So far, its value for the treatment of bronchial asthma is still discussed controversially. The effectiveness of oral hyposensitization has not been demonstrated yet.