Allergen immunotherapy was introduced by Leonard Noon 100 years ago and is the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic individuals (Allergy, 2012).Honeybee venom immunotherapy with 50 micrograms, half the recommended dose, may prevent systemic reactions in children.
This dose prevented systemic reactions in 86% (38/44) of children and 94% of stings after honeybee venom immunotherapy.
"Comparing our results with patients with honeybee venom allergy who received 100 micrograms, the rates of protection with 50-microgram venom immunotherapy for field stings appear similar", said the researchers.
As many as 1 in 100 children may have systemic allergic reactions to insect stings, and about 40% of children who have moderate-to-severe reactions need ongoing venom immunotherapy.
References:
Lower Dose of Honeybee Venom Immunotherapy Effective in Children. Medscape.
Honeybee venom immunotherapy in children using a 50-μg maintenance dose. JACI, 2011.
Honeybee immunotherapy is less safe and less effective than for other flying Hymenoptera http://goo.gl/RgAjj
Image source: Wikipedia 1, 2, GNU Free Documentation License.
Comments from Twitter:
@allergistmommy (Sakina Bajowala, M.D): Good news- 1cc IT is a lot for a skinny little arm.