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EPD treatment intructions

EPD (enzyme potentiated desensitisation) is an allergy desensitisation technique which uses very small doses of mixed allergens with the enzyme beta glucuronidase as a biological response modifier. The technique has been in use since 1966, and is much safer than the traditional high dose method of allergy injections.

Some chemicals, drugs, supplements and heat can interfere with the response to EPD. Therefore please adhere to the recommendations below. If another doctor recommends you take any of the medications listed in the 3 weeks following treatment, ensure that they  know about the EPD, and either you or your doctor are welcome to ring for advise on 01626 854743. It may be important that you do take a certain medication, but you must then accept the possibility of it affecting your EPD.

1/ Avoid allergen exposure (12 hours before and 48 hours after treatment)
Avoid significant contact with pets, and limit exposure to dust and pollens. Also minimise exposure to perfumes, aerosols, sprays, painting and cigarette smoke. Avoid new carpets/furniture/other things which give off fumes. For some people this may mean needing time off work if there is significant exposure there, especially if there is air conditioning, chemical or animal exposure. You also need to avoid shops selling perfumes/sprays/washing powders/carpets etc.

If a pet allergy is suspected and you have pets at home, 3 days before treatment send your pet away, hoover the house and ventilate well. Your pets can return 4 days after treatment.

Do not use a feather duvet or pillow which is over a year old. If you use house mite treatments, do not do so in the week before and after treatment.

Avoid damp rooms. Avoid house plants due to moulds in the pots. If your house is damp, stay elsewhere the day before and for 2 days afterwards.                       

2/ Washing/toiletries
For 1 day before and 1 week after EPD, keep contact with toiletries and household cleaning substances to a minimum. Use soap and shampoo which is as natural as possible, without perfumes, unnecessary chemicals or essential oils. Green People produce a ‘base’ range of organic, unscented, low allergen toiletries (www.greenpeople.co.uk) and Sonnet produce a liquid soap without essential oils or known toxins (available from greenfibres.co.uk).Avoid sprays, and deodorants (except the Green People base deodorant or the solid salt stick type of deodorant).Keep make-up to a minimum, and preferably use non-allergenic unscented products. If you have to use any household cleaning products, then use gloves, and try to use greener ones, e.g. Ecover, Bio-D or Sonnet, avoiding sprays.

If possible, do not use any skin lotions, creams or ointments for this period, and more importantly, do not use on the injected arm for a week. If you do need moisturisers for your skin, use a food grade oil to which an allergy is not suspected, possibly grape-seed, olive or flax oil. Alternatively make your own cream from the recipe on this website, again avoiding oils to which you may be allergic.

3/ Heat
Avoid heavy exercise, extreme heat, very hot baths, saunas and sunbathing for 3 days after treatment.

4/ Diet
Follow the EPD diet for 12 hours before and 24 hours after treatment.

5/ Avoid taking the following medications if possible for 4 days before and 3 weeks after treatment:

6/ Vitamins and minerals

Some nutrients enhance the response to EPD, so continue your usual regime, including multivitamin/mineral, vitamin c (up to 500mg daily only), zinc.

However, avoid cod liver oil or evening primrose oil.

7/ Gut preparation

Some people need antifungal or antibiotic treatment prior to EPD. You will have been informed if this is the case.

8/ Pregnancy

You should not have EPD whilst pregnant or trying to conceive.

9/ Cold/flu/viral infections

If you have a cold/flu in the week before treatment, you will need to postpone your EPD dose.

 

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