ALLERGY DROPS
What is Immunotherapy?
Allergy Immunotherapy is the only type of allergy treatment that changes the immune system to become less allergic to an allergen. This can be considered more of a problem solver by “desensitizing” the immune system to the allergen as opposed to medications that only treat the symptoms.
Allergy immunotherapy induces tolerance to the immune system by giving low doses of the allergens initially then building up on these doses over time. This process desensitizes the allergens to the immune system and decreases the allergic symptoms when exposed to those allergens via the environment.
Allergy immunotherapy is for patients that prefer to decrease or avoid chronic asthma or allergy medications. Also for patients that have not been controlled with a variety of medications, allergy immunotherapy is typically much more effective.
Allergy Drops
(also called SubLingual ImmunoTherapy or SLIT) are administered under the tongue and has been shown to be effective for certain allergens. Studies show a wide range of results and moderate symptom reduction is possible in appropriate candidates. This has not yet been approved by the FDA but based on studies has been shown to be safe with rare chance of serious side effects. This can be done seasonally for symptom improvement but has not been adequately proven to have long term benefits after treatment.
For further information on all types of Immunotherapy and how Allergy Drops compare to Allergy Shots…
