The tablet that could end hayfever hell for sufferers

Here's what you need to know.

Thousands of Victorians who suffer hayfever and thunderstorm asthma may soon have a new treatment to reduce their allergic reactions.

Hayfever is a common allergic reaction that is normally triggered by pollen.

Thunderstorm asthma is an asthma attack set off by environmental conditions and can be fatal.

But now there is fresh hope for those susceptible to the conditions, with a new treatment producing promising results.

A daily tablet infused with doses of pollen taken four months before each pollen season for three years has been shown to provide long-term protection.

The discovery was made by Monash researchers, who tested the treatment on 27 Victorians who have hayfever.

The patients were divided into two groups

One received tablets with micro doses of pollen that were dissolved under the tongue.

The study found that most of those on the daily tablet continued to report benefits two years later.

Professor Menno van Zelm said the treatment, known as sublingual immunotherapy, could retrain a person’s immune system.

Audio: 3AW

Researchers will also test the treatment's effectiveness against other common allergies such as dust mites and food.

Producer: Andrew Piva

NewsBite

The tablet that could end hayfever hell for sufferers

BY ROBIN RILEY

with

Here's what you need to know.

Hayfever is a common allergic reaction that is normally triggered by pollen.

But now there is fresh hope for those susceptible to the conditions, with a new treatment producing promising results.

A daily tablet infused with doses of pollen taken four months before each pollen season for three years has been shown to provide long-term protection.

The discovery was made by Monash researchers, who tested the treatment on 27 Victorians who have hayfever.

The patients were divided into two groups

The other was given standard therapy like antihistamines and anti-allergy nasal sprays.

The study found that most of those on the daily tablet continued to report benefits two years later.

Professor Menno van Zelm said the treatment, known as sublingual immunotherapy, could retrain a person’s immune system.

Audio: 3AW

Prof Menno van Zelm

Researchers will also test the treatment's effectiveness against other common allergies such as dust mites and food.

Producer: Andrew Piva

with

The tablet that could end hayfever hell for sufferers

BY ROBIN RILEY

with

Here's what you need to know.

Hayfever is a common allergic reaction that is normally triggered by pollen.

But now there is fresh hope for those susceptible to the conditions, with a new treatment producing promising results.

A daily tablet infused with doses of pollen taken four months before each pollen season for three years has been shown to provide long-term protection.

The discovery was made by Monash researchers, who tested the treatment on 27 Victorians who have hayfever.

The patients were divided into two groups

The other was given standard therapy like antihistamines and anti-­allergy nasal sprays.

The study found that most of those on the daily tablet continued to report benefits two years later.

Professor Menno van Zelm said the treatment, known as sublingual immunotherapy, could retrain a person’s immune system.

Audio: 3AW

Prof Menno van Zelm

Researchers will also test the treatment's effectiveness against other common allergies such as dust mites and food.

Producer: Andrew Piva

with

The other was given standard therapy like antihistamines and anti-allergy nasal sprays.