What type of therapy does immunotherapy represent for allergies?

Immunotherapy represents a preventative treatment for allergies because it aims to modify the immune response to allergens over time. This therapeutic approach involves the gradual exposure of the patient to increasing quantities of the allergen, which can help desensitize the immune system. By doing so, immunotherapy can reduce the severity of allergic reactions and ultimately prevent the development of allergy symptoms when the patient encounters the allergen in the future.

This long-term strategy helps in treating allergies at their root cause rather than just alleviating symptoms, making it distinct from other types of treatments that focus primarily on symptom management. While other options like symptomatic treatment address immediate relief from allergy symptoms and rescue treatment is used for acute episodes, immunotherapy is specifically designed to provide lasting benefits and decrease the need for symptomatic medications over time.