Hyposensitization (or allergy desensitization) is a form of immunotherapy in which the patient is vaccinated with progressively larger doses of an allergen to which they have been diagnosed as being sensitive. Hyposensitization can either reduce the severity of symptoms or eliminate hypersensitivity altogether.

Immunotherapy or desensitization therapy for allergies must not be confused with homeopathic treatments. Immunotherapy administered through cutaneous injections or sublingually has substantial empirical support. Numerous research articles and several meta-analytic studies support its clinical effectiveness. Conversely, homeopathy (or Rinkel immunotherapy) is not generally endorsed by the medical profession as it lacks substantial empirical support. In addition, the perceived similarity between how the two treatments “work” is entirely superficial. Homeopathic treatment claims to gain efficacy as concentration decreases; desensitization therapy aims to increase the patient’s tolerance to allergens, and thus increases the dosage used in order to be more effective, though this must be done slowly.