Desensitisation allergy service at Spire Cardiff Hospital

There are many different treatments for allergies, but most treat the symptoms rather than the cause. Desensitisation immunotherapy offers the possibility of actually curing your allergy.

The programme involves carefully controlled repeated exposure to the allergen, which can switch off the allergic immune response. Currently, this is available for aeroallergens (such as house dust mite, grass pollens, tree pollens, cat, dog and horse) and bee and wasp venom.

Desensitisation immunotherapy is delivered either by injection or tablet form depending on the type of allergies you have.

Immunotherapy also has the added benefit of reducing the risk of developing other allergies later in life.

We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

Desensitisation immunotherapy is delivered either by an injection in the arm or by dissolvable tablets or drops placed under the tongue (sublingual). Both options are available for aeroallergens but bee and wasp venom desensitisation is only available by injection.

For injection immunotherapy, every injection has to be administered in hospital and you’ll need to remain for an hour post-injection to ensure there is not an adverse reaction.

The first dose of sublingual immunotherapy is given in hospital to ensure it is tolerated, but subsequent doses can be administered at home.

How often you need treatment varies depending on the type of allergy you have, but typically you will have it over the course of three to five years.

Desensitisation immunotherapy is performed as a day case and you can go home the same day. Pain relief is not needed.

Most people benefit from the treatment within months. How often your need to have treatment depends on the type of allergies you have.

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way.

On rare occasions, complications following desensitisation immunotherapy can occur. Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re ready to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.