The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis – an allergy-related skin disease. Treatment is commonly moisturizers and anti-inflammatory skin medications. Another option was discussed recently at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology annual meeting in November 2018: allergy shots.
Allergists heard the case study of an adult patient who had suffered from eczema since childhood. Skin tests revealed multiple environmental allergies, including dust mites, pollen, mold, cats and dogs, for which he was given allergy immunotherapy (shots).
After a year of treatment, his skin improved as well as his nasal allergy symptoms.
Says allergist Anita Wasan, MD, co-author of the study. “Because the patient’s allergies could all be treated with allergy shots, we thought treating his allergies might also benefit his eczema. After one year, he reported significant benefit to his symptoms, which was great news. And once he reached a maintenance dose of allergy shots, he no longer needed high-dose corticosteroid therapy for his eczema.”
If you have environmental allergies and persistent eczema, talk with your doctor about whether immunotherapy is right for you. Learn more about immunotherapy and use an online tool developed in partnership with the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology at allergyrelief.acaai.org.
810304 Eaton Place, Suite 100