Allergen immunotherapy (AIT), also known as desensitisation, is an allergy treatment that acts directly on the immune system to rebalance it. AIT can improve symptoms and reduce the need for medications. Tolerance to the allergen can occur once treatment is completed.
AIT may be used following alternatives such as allergen avoidance (measures to reduce patient exposure to the allergen) and treatment intervention (drugs that overcome the symptoms).
AIT works through giving the patient small doses of the substance that causes their allergic reaction. The dose is repeated over time, to gradually reduce the patient's sensitivity to the allergen.