If you deal with allergies, including seasonal allergies like 81 million Americans who are currently sneezing their way through this time of year, you’re likely already familiar with a number of treatments. 1 These include things like over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtek, and Claritin, and prescription treatments like allergy shots. These approaches do give a certain amount of relief from symptoms.
🤧 But what if researchers could find a way to help you skip the allergic reaction in general, rather than your only option being to treat your watering eyes, itchy skin, and constant sneezing?
There are some exciting advances being made in the world of allergies, and some might just be the help you’ve been needing. As always, talk with your medical provider for specific advice for your situation.
🗓️ What if you only needed to take a dose once every few months? That’s what scientists are hopeful they will be able to offer soon, particularly for those who suffer with particular seasonal allergies and cat allergies. There is a new approach to allergies in which treatment would include dosing antibodies. REGN1908 and REGN1909 are antibodies which can help block the allergens that the tree pollen from birch trees and also from cats. This approach is still in the clinical trial phase, but could be a solution to these specific types of allergies that would only require a treatment every few months. 2
💉 A GLP-1…but for allergies? You’ve likely seen a lot in the news about GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone naturally produced in the gut that helps regulate hunger signals and blood sugar. As the study of the effect of GLP-1s continues for pre-diabetic and diabetic patients and for weight loss, researchers have found something unexpected. Patients who deal with asthma have decreased incidents of asthma attacks when they are taking a GLP-1. Researchers are studying what properties in GLP-1 medication impact respiratory factors and how other respiratory diseases might be treated with GLP-1s. 3
💊 No needles? If you or someone in your family has needed to use emergency injection medications for allergic reactions, you may soon find that needles are a thing of the past. 4 There has been significant work done for sub-lingual (under the tongue) medications and nasal sprays that quickly deliver emergency allergy medications without the need for injections. 5
🔬 Creating a fix for the immune system? Biologics and immunotherapy aim to go to the source of allergic reactions, which is at its core an immune system that is trying to protect you, but is overreacting. A biologic is a medication that is composed from living cells or plant-based compounds, rather than chemical-based agents. These types of medications are very specific in what they treat and how and they seek to go to the cause of the issue, rather than just treating the symptoms. There are now biologic treatments coming into availability that help treat core issues for people who have allergic reactions to a variety of agents. Immunotherapy is also making strides, including injecting allergens directly into lymph nodes to help the body build up immunity to allergy-causing agents. 6
It’s also important to note that the allergy field shifts. For example, you might recall a recent article from Altrua HealthShare about updates concerning peanut allergies. Peanut allergies soared for a number of years, but now have tapered off. The same is true for what we usually think of as the traditional allergy season, during the spring in the continental United States, which typically experiences blooming plant pollen. However, that season is now extended due to changes in weather and other factors, which means that allergy treatments will likely be adapted as well to deal with these kinds of symptoms for patients.
If you are a Member of Altrua HealthShare, you can talk with a medical provider at any time about the latest advancements in allergy care through your HealthWallet app. You can schedule a virtual visit to discuss your allergy concerns. If you’re not yet an Altrua HealthShare Member or have questions about your membership, contact a Member Services Representative at 1-888-244-3839.
1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/03/18/spring-pollen-allergy-sufferers/
2 https://investor.regeneron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/regeneron-advances-allergy-pipeline-two-positive-phase-3-trials#:~:text=In%20those%20earlier%20trials%2C%20statistically,allergen%20%E2%80%9COcular%20Challenge%E2%80%9D%20Trial%3A
3 https://respiratory-therapy.com/disorders-diseases/chronic-pulmonary-disorders/asthma/glp-1-agonists-may-reduce-asthma-symptoms/
4 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-allergies/could-allergy-drops-be-the-key-to-allergy-relief#:~:text=Sublingual%20immunotherapy%20is%20safe%20for,Sublingual%20Immunotherapy%20Side%20Effects
5 https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-nasal-spray-treatment-anaphylaxis#:~:text=Neffy%20is%20a%20single%20dose,%2C%20dizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20vomiting.
6 https://www.apexallergysa.com/blog/top-allergy-treatments-to-look-forward-to-in-2026#:~:text=Intralymphatic%20immunotherapy%20(ILIT)%3A%20Delivers,responses%20and%20reduce%20allergic%20reactions