Soluble tablets do not work for people with severe allergies to grass pollen

It is summer and you are in Eugene, Oregon, is the livin Sneezy. Eugene is the first in the nation for allergies this week according to IMS Health, a company in the health information that provides allergy alerts for cities across the country. Eugene residents can blame their runny nose and itchy eyes with abundant grasses of the city, currently obtain high concentrations of pollen in the air.

Eugene is just the tip of the iceberg of allergy. If you live near a green, regularly inhaled pollen. You're in good company if your body reacts. Over 50 million Americans have allergies to pollen or hayfever.

If you have an allergy to pollen from grasses boring but resisted receive injections against allergies, which would have encouraged last year when the FDA approved a non-needle alternative tablet a day you let dissolve under the tongue. 

Unfortunately, an analysis of 13 controlled clinical trials published online this week in Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that soluble tablets are only slightly more effective than placebo in reducing the classic symptoms of pollen allergy nasal grass nose, itchy eyes and tickle in the throat. To make matters worse, over 60% of people who use tablets experienced irritating side effects.

"I'm disappointed when I saw the data indicating how they are ineffective," says Dr. Nicolas Busaba, associate professor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School professor. However, Dr. Busaba is not too surprised, because tablets needed to be only 25% to 30% more effective than placebo in relieving allergy symptoms in order to obtain FDA approval. "If your symptoms are severe, for example 9 on a 10 point scale, and reduced to 7 tablet will even notice the difference?"

How the tablets work
 An allergy to grass pollen, like all allergies, it is a case of mistaken identity. Your immune system sees grass pollen as potentially dangerous invaders, and made war against them. (Polen, and other things that trigger allergies, called allergens.) In people with allergies to pollen, the immune system reacts to pollen by sending antibodies to catch it. Once an antibody antigen intercepted alert cells in the lining of the nose, throat and the roof of the mouth to release chemicals called histamines. Histamines are responsible for the itching, sneezing, swelling and experience.

The tablets work by 'teaching' the immune system that grass pollen is not a threat. They do this by providing safe dose of pollen to the tissues lining the mouth. Allergens from there into the bloodstream. The first tablet is taken at the doctor's office on the case of the tablet triggered a severe allergic reaction. If no alarming side effects, you can take the medicine at home.

The FDA has approved two tablets allergy to grass pollen. Grastek contains timothy pollen extract. It is meant to be taken every day, all year round. Oralair contains a mixture of pollens bluegrass of Kentucky, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, mild spring, and Timothy grass. Should be taken daily for about six months, starting four months before the start of allergy season. People taking all the tablets are also given epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) to use if they have a life-threatening allergic reaction. 

Disappointing data

Analysis Archives of Internal Medicine was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Palermo, Italy. They found that people who use scored tablets unless a higher point on a scale of 18 points symptoms than those who took a placebo. Seven people using tablets have had severe reactions to therapy requiring adrenaline injections. None of those who took a placebo had this type of reaction related to treatment.

Less serious side effects are also more common among trial participants using the tablets. Over 60% reported problems such as swelling of the lips, tongue, tingling and itching in the mouth. In comparison, 20% of those taking a placebo reported one or other side effects.

A problem with the tablets containing only grass allergens says Dr. Busaba. They offer no protection against tree pollen or weeds, which may be in the air simultaneously. They provide protection against other allergens like mold or dust mites. 

Other hay fever treatment
 There is other evidence of allergy to grass pollen remedies. They target the immune system response to allergens in different ways.

Over-the-counter antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin) relieve symptoms by blocking histamine. Nasal sprays containing cromolyn sodium can prevent mast cell histamine release. But the pharmacy remedies often do not work for people with severe allergies.

Sprays and prescription nasal corticosteroid mometasone furoate (Nasonex) and fluticasone propionate (Flonase) can be a little more effective. They control the symptoms by reducing inflammation.

Desensitization immunotherapy of origin, were used to treat allergies for over a century. The injections not only relieve symptoms but may also prevent the development of new allergies. As an added bonus, children who received the full course of allergy shots are less likely to develop asthma. 

If you decide to take allergy shots, you need a pencil on a number of visits to the doctor on your calendar. Such as tablets, allergy shots require skin or blood test to determine what substances you are allergic. Then create an injectable laboratory solutions containing low doses of allergens. Initially, you will one or two injections a week, each time with a slightly higher concentration of allergens. Once the effective dose is reached usually after three to six months, you need monthly injections for three to five years.

This program is a deterrent for many people. According to the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, only a third of people who could benefit from allergy shots, and three quarters of people who start to drop shots before treatment is finished. A new procedure that involves injection of allergen directly into the lymph nodes tested in clinical trials. If successful, the treatment would require three or four shots a year. 

What can you do else

The grass pollen levels vary widely depending on weather conditions. They can increase in dry day, hot or windy and fall after a storm. If you have hay fever, you can check your local paper pollen level. The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology recommends these strategies for people with allergies to pollen:

     *  Keep windows closed and turn on the air conditioning at home and in the car.
     *  Protect your eyes from pollen wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors.
     *  Wash your hands often.
     *  Do what you can to reduce other common allergens. Vacuum often to reduce dust mites; Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture; ask someone else groom your pets.