Adverse Reactions to Minute Doses of Antigen Used in Hyposensitization

Abstract

Of some 6000 patients being hyposensitized to inhalants, 123 were found who had had adverse reactions to dilutions of antigen as low as 1:100 trillion to 1:1 million. Women were especially likely to react in this way, and most patients had asthma and a variety of inhalant and food allergies.

The usual reason that reduction of dose was necessary was local swelling. Other side effects were headache, constitutional reactions, nasal congestion, asthma, tension, and fatigue.