Allergy Drops
Allergens and antigens are substances that cause all of the symptoms for an allergy sufferer. Most allergy drugs only relieve symptoms, such as sneezing or itchy and watery eyes, on a temporary basis. Our team at Farragut ENT and Allergy has worked hard to offer you a better solution–allergy drops.
What Are Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops, clinically known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), give the allergy sufferer a minimal dose of what he or she is allergic to in the form of a drop or tablet placed under the tongue. There is great convenience with allergy drops, as they are self-administered at home. Over the course of the patient’s treatments, their dose will be regularly increased in small increments until they develop a tolerance to the substances causing the allergies.
There has been extensive research, clinical trials and surveys over the past 20 years with excellent data. Allergy drops have proven to be effective for allergic rhinitis and asthma caused by allergies to dust mites, grass, ragweed, cat dander, and tree pollens. Additionally, they are being studied for use with hay fever and food allergies.
How Do Allergy Drops Work?
After allergy testing, our allergy department will prepare an allergen extract in the form of sublingual drops. Patients will place the drop under their tongue and advised not to swallow immediately. They then repeat this process daily. This therapy continues for 3-5 years during which the patient develops a lasting immunity.
Allergy Drops
Allergens and antigens are substances that cause all of the symptoms for an allergy sufferer. Most allergy drugs only relieve symptoms, such as sneezing or itchy and watery eyes, on a temporary basis. Our team at Farragut ENT and Allergy has worked hard to offer you a better solution–allergy drops.
Allergy Drops vs. Allergy Shots
Allergy drops represent a newer form of immunotherapy than allergy shots. The main difference is you do not need to get a shot and it can be done in the comfort of your own home after initial treatment. Allergy drops are not covered by insurance, but the time saved and convenience of drops may provide you overall savings.
Am I A Good Candidate For Allergy Drops?
If you’re allergic to pollens, pet dander, grasses, dust mites, and other typical allergens, these drops will likely be effective in stopping the symptoms of itchy nose, runny nose, itchy eyes and other irritating symptoms.
Benefits Of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy offerings, such as allergy drops, are effective solutions for allergies. While drops may not cover all possible allergens, they cover most. The approach is to treat the root cause of the allergy, rather than simply dealing with the symptoms. By exposing the patient to the allergen in small doses and gradually increasing the amount over time, the patient’s immunity will continue to build up.
Risks Of Immunotherapy Drops
The risks of these drops seem to be mostly local and mild. They occur early in the treatment and can include issues such as itching in the mouth or stomach problems. Adjusting the dosages, via a prescription from our providers, seems to curtail these. Very rarely has anaphylactic shock been reported.
Another potential risk of allergy drops is that they are administered at home without direct medical supervision. But, as long as the patient listens to the guidance our office provides on managing adverse reactions and heeds those instructions, the lack of direct supervision doesn’t need to be a big issue.
How Long Does It Take For Immunotherapy Drops To Work?
Immunotherapy drops for allergy relief work best when thought of as a preventative measure. How quickly it takes for the drops to be effective is variable by the patient. Just know that this isn’t an instant remedy for an allergen, such as tree pollen, that you were exposed to yesterday. This is a long-term effort to build tolerance and immunity.