Allergen immunotherapy for stinging nettle allergy

Abstract

Nettle pollen is a rare but regionally relevant allergen against which successful allergen immunotherapy (AIT) can be carried out. The risk of confusion with glasswort (Parietaria judaica) must be considered regionally and, if necessary, excluded through an enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST). Patients report the usual symptoms of rhinitis, but often also shortness of breath (nettle allergy as a trigger for allergic asthma). In our study, mild local side effects at the injection site were shown with AIT, but this did not lead to discontinuation of treatment in any patient. Sensitization to stinging nettle pollen is usually a comorbidity in polysensitized patients.