If you suffer from allergies, you know the symptoms all too well: sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and congestion. Whether environmental, year-round, or seasonal symptoms, allergies can greatly impact the quality of your life. While many medications taken orally can help reduce your symptoms, some individuals still struggle to get through their day, and allergy shots are a method that can offer some patients long-term relief.
What are Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), are another immunotherapy option to curing allergies. They are designed to reduce a patient’s sensitivity to allergens over time. These drops contain small amounts of the allergens that trigger your symptoms – such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander. Administered under the tongue, allergy drops are taken daily at home over several years to build up your immune system’s tolerance.
How Do Allergy Drops Work?
During the first phase, also called the buildup phase, patients take increasing daily doses of the allergen drops. This phase generally lasts several weeks to a few months. Once the effective dose is determined, patients will continue taking the drops daily for several years to build up their immune system.
The goal of allergy drops is to train the immune system to become tolerant to the allergens, reducing the severity of reactions over time. By exposing the body to controlled amounts of allergens, the immune response becomes less sensitive, and symptoms can diminish.
Benefits of Allergy Drops
Allergy drops can be administered to treat a wide variety of allergies, including seasonal allergies such as ragweed, trees, and grass. This form of immunotherapy is also used to treat animal allergies, as well as allergies to mold, pollen, and dust mites.
- Convenience & Cost:
Because treatment is administered at home, there are fewer trips to the doctor’s office and a lower overall cost of treatment
- Effectiveness & Decreased Medication Use:
Temporary medications only manage symptoms. Allergy drops, in most cases, tackle the root cause of allergies, improving with less medication.
Who is a Candidate for Allergy Drops?
Most allergy sufferers are good candidates for allergy drops. However, drops may be especially useful for patients who have not responded well to or cannot tolerate allergy shots.
Allergy drops are an excellent option for:
- Children
- Patients with intensely sensitive health conditions
- Individuals with a fear of needles
- Mold allergies
- Individuals with asthma or chronic sinusitis
What to Expect with Allergy Drops
Before starting allergy drops, your care team will conduct tests to pinpoint the specific allergens causing your symptoms. Based on these results, a personalized treatment plan will be created. During the initial phase, you’ll take the drops daily. Once you transition to the maintenance phase, you’ll continue taking the drops daily for several years to sustain the benefits. Some patients report extended periods of effectiveness after a course of sublingual immunotherapy.
Are There Side Effects or Risks to Using Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops are a good alternative method of immunotherapy without injections. This form of treatment has been widely studied and observed for side effects. The most commonly identified include oral and tongue itching, throat irritation, swelling in the mouth, or oral numbness. Though rare, it is possible that localized reactions can spread to the rest of the body.
Our care team will provide guidance on managing any side effects and ensure that your treatment is as safe and effective as possible.
Ready to Take Control of Your Allergies with Allergy Drops?
If you are struggling with seasonal or environmental allergies, allergy drops can offer long-term relief. Our team of specialists at Austin ENT & Allergy are committed to helping patients find relief from allergies and allergy symptoms to improve their quality of life.
Contact our team to schedule a consultation appointment at any time, online.
