Short Wave

The Closest Thing To A Cure For Allergies

December 9, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy), which have been around since 1911, work by training the immune system to build tolerance to allergens, making them the closest thing science has to a cure for allergies. 
  • Allergy testing involves introducing allergens into the skin (skin prick test) to see if the body has produced IgE antibodies, which bind to the allergen and release chemicals like histamine, causing symptoms. 
  • Guidance on preventing food allergies has reversed; early introduction of allergenic foods (like peanuts between four to six months) is now recommended, based on studies showing avoidance increased peanut allergy incidence. 

Segments

Sponsor Messages and Introduction
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: NPR relies on listener support following the elimination of federal funding for public media.
  • Summary: The episode opens with sponsor messages from Warby Parker and a plea for listener support for NPR and Short Wave due to the elimination of federal funding for public media as of this fall. Host Regina Barber expresses her personal dislike for allergy symptoms before introducing the expert guest. The segment sets the stage for discussing allergy treatments beyond temporary symptom management.
Defining Allergies and IgE Antibodies
Copied to clipboard!
(00:02:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances by producing IgE antibodies upon initial exposure.
  • Summary: Allergies are defined as the body overreacting to harmless substances like pollen or food, mistaking them for danger. The first exposure to an allergen causes the body to create specific allergic antibodies called IgE (immunoglobulin E). Subsequent exposure causes these IgE antibodies to bind to the allergen, triggering the release of chemicals like histamine, which cause symptoms like itching and sneezing within 15-20 minutes.
Allergy Testing and Sensitization
Copied to clipboard!
(00:05:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The common skin prick test introduces allergens to the skin to check for a localized, itchy reaction indicating the presence of IgE antibodies.
  • Summary: Allergy testing, often using a skin prick method, introduces allergens to the skin to check for a reaction within 15-20 minutes, which signifies the presence of IgE antibodies. Being sensitized means the body has made these antibodies, but it does not always equate to having a clinical allergy or noticeable symptoms. Frequent exposure to an allergen can lead to tolerance, meaning symptoms may disappear even if sensitization remains.
History and Process of Allergy Shots
Copied to clipboard!
(00:09:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Allergy shots, introduced in 1911 by Dr. Leonard Noon, involve a build-up phase followed by a maintenance phase over three to five years.
  • Summary: Allergy shots, or allergen immunotherapy, were pioneered in 1911 by Dr. Leonard Noon, who hypothesized that inoculating patients with increasing doses of grass extracts would desensitize them. The modern process involves a build-up phase of weekly injections until a maintenance dose is reached, followed by monthly shots for three to five years. This treatment is considered the closest thing to a cure, with an 80 to 90 percent effectiveness rate for those who undergo the therapy.
Side Effects and Food Allergy Treatment
Copied to clipboard!
(00:12:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Allergy shots carry rare risks of systemic reactions, and while food allergy shots are unavailable, oral immunotherapy is used to build tolerance to foods.
  • Summary: Potential side effects of allergy shots include localized swelling or, very rarely, a systemic or anaphylactic reaction, which is mitigated by an observation period post-injection. Unlike environmental allergies, there are no allergy shots currently available for food allergies; however, oral immunotherapy (OIT) is practiced, which involves giving increasing oral doses of the food allergen. Guidance on food allergies has reversed, now favoring early introduction of allergenic foods before age one to decrease incidence.