desensitization
(dē″sen″sĭt-ĭ-zā′shŏn)
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[de- + sensitization]
1. Treatment of an allergy by repeated injections of a dilute solution containing the chemical mediators of inflammation. Gradually increasing concentrations of the antigen are used. The concentration is too weak to cause symptoms but strong enough to promote gradual immune tolerance. It increases the levels of immunoglobulin G, which blocks immunoglobulin E from binding to mast cells and initiating the release of the chemical mediators of inflammation. Although not always successful, desensitization is still commonly used, esp. for patients whose allergic response to an antigen is systemic anaphylaxis.
SYN: SEE: antianaphylaxis; SEE: hyposensitization
SEE: allergy; SEE: anaphylaxis; SEE: tolerance
The patient must be closely monitored for signs of anaphylaxis for at least 20 min after each injection of dilute antigen. Emergency drug therapy is maintained nearby for immediate treatment of anaphylaxis. Prescribed antihistamine therapy is provided to relieve lesser allergic symptoms, e.g., urticaria, pruritus, wheezing.
2. In psychiatry, the alleviation of an emotionally upsetting life situation.
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Citation
Venes, Donald, editor. "Desensitization." Taber's Medical Dictionary, 24th ed., F.A. Davis Company, 2021. Nursing Central, nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/750946/all/desensitization.
Desensitization. In: Venes DD, ed. Taber's Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company; 2021. https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/750946/all/desensitization. Accessed October 14, 2024.
Desensitization. (2021). In Venes, D. (Ed.), Taber's Medical Dictionary (24th ed.). F.A. Davis Company. https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/750946/all/desensitization
Desensitization [Internet]. In: Venes DD, editors. Taber's Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company; 2021. [cited 2024 October 14]. Available from: https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Tabers-Dictionary/750946/all/desensitization.
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