Tom Brennan*
24 year old male, referred to an allergy clinic in 2009
For the first time I could go outside in the summer months. There were days when I forgot my antihistamines and I was still ok.
History
24 year old male student presented with a background history of mild hay fever since early childhood. His symptoms worsened at puberty. He suffered from red, runny, inflamed, itchy and swollen eyes, runny nose (“to the point of dehydration”), sneezing and itchy skin.
Symptoms usually started at the end of May and ended in mid August. His hay fever persisted in spite of oral antihistamines, nasal spray and eye drops.
Treatment
This patient was referred to a general allergy clinic in 2009, where he tested positive to grass pollen. In view of his clinical history and test results, the decision was made to treat him with specific immunotherapy for grass pollen allergy.
In the winter of 2010 the patient attended an Immunotherapy Clinic for 4 appointments at weekly intervals during which he was treated with grass pollen immunotherapy.
Results
The patient noticed a marked improvement in his symptoms having completed his first year of treatment. He is now undergoing his second year of grass pollen desensitisation.
* To protect patient-doctor confidentiality, the case studies are anonymous and patient pictures are fictional.