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Other Treatments for Asthma

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is used to ease symptoms caused by known allergens, such as animal dander. The problem allergen will be injected under the skin. More will be injected at each visit. Over time, this can make the person less likely to have problems from the allergen. It can also lower the need for medicine. It is helpful to people who do not respond to medicine or those who use more than 1 medicine. The process takes 3 to 5 years.

Sublingual immunotherapy may also be used. The allergen is put under the tongue instead.

Counseling

There are forms of counseling that can help people with quality of life. One example is cognitive behavioral therapy. It can lead to better asthma control and fewer attacks.

REFERENCES:

Acute asthma exacerbation in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-asthma-exacerbation-in-children. Updated August 22, 2018. Accessed October 22, 2019.

Asthma exacerbation in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/asthma-exacerbation-in-adults-and-adolescents. Updated January 29, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.

Asthma in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/asthma-in-adults-and-adolescents. Updated October 11, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.

Chronic asthma in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-asthma-in-children. Updated September 27, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.

Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) global strategy for asthma management and prevention. GINA 2018.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD