Immunotherapy modifies the natural history of allergic diseases and prevents the onset of new sensitization

Past as well as recent studies, both retrospective and prospective, have shown that specific immunotherapy may prevent the onset of newly acquired sensitization in young children who have a limited number of specific sensitizations. Moreover, pollen immunotherapy may prevent the development of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis. Thus, in contrast to pharmacotherapy, specific immunotherapy appears to be the only treatment capable of changing the natural course of allergic diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]