ABSTRACT
method for controlling allergic rhinitis and related diseases (such as allergic conjunctivitis, asthma and insect anaphylaxis) in those patients for whom pharmacotherapy does not prove effective and where avoidance is impossible or impractical. Careful and specific training is necessary for the physician to be able to conduct skin testing or in vitro testing to determine the allergens causing the reactions. Once these allergens are known and appropriate antigens prepared, immunotherapy must be carefully administered in a controlled and supervised environment where personnel are adequately trained to recognize and treat systemic reactions. It is best for the primary care physician who lacks training in immunotherapy to refer a patient whose symptoms indicate persistent allergy origins to an allergist with specialist training and knowledge in this field. The primary care physician, in consultation with the allergist, may then determine the appropriate course of treatment for that patient and work with the allergist to monitor the patient’s progress.
