What is allergen immunotherapy and is it available for children in Varanasi?

Yes. Allergen immunotherapy is available at Vatsalya Superspeciality Children Hospital, Varanasi, and I offer it to appropriate patients as part of the dedicated paediatric allergy and asthma centre I lead.
Allergen immunotherapy is the only treatment that modifies the underlying allergic disease rather than suppressing its symptoms. It works by gradually exposing the immune system to increasing doses of the specific allergen, inducing a shift in the immune response that reduces allergic reactivity over time. Evidence supports its effectiveness in reducing asthma symptoms, improving lung function, reducing medication requirements, and in many cases preventing the development of new sensitivities. I offer both subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT, given as injections) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT, given as drops or tablets under the tongue). The choice depends on the specific allergen, the child's age and compliance, and the family's capacity for the treatment schedule. Immunotherapy is considered in children with confirmed allergen sensitisation whose asthma and associated rhinitis are not adequately controlled with standard pharmacotherapy.