Specific immunotherapy for allergic diseases : Is it worthwhile ?

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only medical intervention that can treat the underlying immunological process of an allergic disease. SIT is most suitable for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and for stinging insect allergy. SIT is safe and effective provided there is careful adherence to the strict guidelines of therapy. The possibility of anaphylaxis must always be anticipated with the means to reverse it being readily available. SIT is a highly specialised form of therapy and should be administered only under direction supervision of a suitably qualified immunologist. (author abstract)