Allergy Drops
What is Sublingual Immunotherapy?
The allergists at Northeast Atlanta ENT offer an effective, safe solution for allergy sufferers. Allergy drops may be the perfect solution for your pesky allergies!
What are Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops are also known as sublingual immunotherapy, or allergy immunotherapy drops. Sublingual allergy drops or SLIT are other common names for allergy drops.
What are the Benefits of Allergy Drops?
SLIT is a form of immunotherapy, and it is a safe and effective method to relieve your allergy symptoms. They are an alternative treatment to allergy shots. The process consists of placing the drops of allergen extracts underneath the tongue and swallowing.
Since the allergen extracts become absorbed by the stomach lining, your body will become tolerant of the allergen over time.
- In Europe, allergy drops are more common than allergy shots (injections). In the United States, more and more people are using allergy drops to save time and money and get the relief they need.
- Allergy sufferers must administer the drops daily and over several months.
- Allergy drops have been proven effective for those suffering from allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis (when a person exhibits hay fever-like symptoms). Allergy drops are also effective to a lesser extent for those with allergic asthma.
- One major benefit of allergy drops: you no longer need the weekly doctor appointment! Allergy drops are convenient since the patient administers the drops at home.
- Another significant benefit is that patients will see the advantages and positive effects within 3-6 months.
Are Allergy Drops Safe?
Allergy drops have been proven safe throughout the past ten years, with well-documented results. There have been no serious or fatal reactions to SLIT reported to date. Most patients may experience mild side effects (i.e., itchy mouth).
In approximately 1 out of every 12,000 doses, the following moderate side effects occurred:
- eye itching, swelling, or redness
- nausea or vomiting
- abdominal cramping
- diarrhea
- lip, mouth, and tongue irritation
- sneezing
- nasal itching
- nasal congestion
- asthma symptoms
- hives or swelling
Since SLIT is a safe treatment method, patients can treat themselves in their own homes. Your ENT doctor may recommend periodic appointments so that they can monitor your physical responses to allergy drops.
Allergy Immunotherapy Drops Versus Allergy Shots
In the United States, patients have been using allergy shots for many years now. Many studies have proven the effectiveness and benefits of allergy shots for patients. We are anxiously awaiting FDA approval. Unfortunately, the FDA has not yet approved allergy drops. However, as documented, allergy drops are frequently prescribed in Europe.
Many people often compare allergy drops and allergy shots. We feel that allergy drops are an excellent treatment option for patients who cannot use allergy injections (shots). Reasons to avoid allergy injections include time constraints, needle phobia, or medications that may prevent the use of allergy shots.