Millions of Americans experience allergies. Symptoms like headaches, cough, itchy eyes, and breathing issues are often associated with allergies. Dealing with them can be frustrating and can have a negative impact on a patient’s life.While allergy medications are a way to manage and control symptoms, they do not change how the immune system responds to specific allergens. Allergy drops are one treatment option designed to help reduce sensitivity to specific allergens over time.
WHAT ARE ALLERGY DROPS?
Allergy drops, also called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), are an alternative to allergy shots for certain patients. The drops are placed under the tongue and contain specific allergens selected based on the patient’s evaluation. Through controlled exposure over time, this treatment is designed to reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to those allergens. Allergy drops may help reduce allergic reactions and improve symptom management, although individual responses and treatment timelines vary.
THE BENEFITS OF ALLERGY DROPS
Allergy drops are an alternative to allergy medications and may provide various benefits for allergy sufferers. Allergy drops are designed to help the immune system become less sensitive to specific allergens over time. Additionally, they do not require injections and can be administered at home as directed by your healthcare provider. This can make allergy drops a convenient option for certain patients and may reduce the number of trips to the doctor’s office. Treatment can also be tailored based on the specific allergens identified during a patient’s evaluation.
TYPES OF ALLERGENS ALLERGY SHOTS AND DROPS TREAT
Allergy shots can treat allergies to bee stings, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. On the other hand, patients with allergies to house dust mites, short ragweed pollen, and grasses (orchard, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye, and sweet vernal) will benefit from allergy drops.
OUR IMMUNOTHERAPY OPTIONS
For over one hundred years, immunotherapy has been used to manage and treat various allergies. Immunotherapy works by exposing the immune system to allergens that create allergic reactions. This exposure is designed to help reduce the body’s sensitivity to specific allergens over time. Our team will use your medical history and comprehensive allergy testing to create and develop a unique treatment plan specifically tailored for you. We offer two immunotherapy options: allergy shots and allergy drops.
- Allergy Shots: Medical professionals in the doctor’s office administer allergy shots. These shots contain trace amounts of your allergens and are given in the upper arm of the patient.
- Allergy Drops: Allergy drops can be administered in the comfort of the patient’s home and are placed under the tongue, making them a convenient alternative to allergy shots.
Both allergy shots and allergy drops offer different approaches to immunotherapy, allowing patients to explore which option best fits their individual needs.
BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR ALLERGY TREATMENT WITH ALLERGY DROPS
While allergy medications may help manage symptoms, allergy drops are designed to gradually reduce sensitivity to certain allergens over time. They work by exposing the immune system to small amounts of specific allergens and may help improve symptom management. Allergy shots and drops are both immunotherapy options, while allergy drops offer the convenience of at-home administration when prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider.
- Comfort: Allergy drops are administered under the tongue and do not require the needles or injections used with allergy shots.
- Convenience: Allergy drops can be administered at home as directed by your healthcare provider, which may reduce the need for frequent visits to the doctor’s office.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF ALLERGY SHOTS AND DROPS?
Dealing with allergies – whether due to pollen, pet dander, or dust mites – can be uncomfortable. Allergies may cause sneezing, itchy eyes, breathing issues, and other symptoms depending on the individual. Allergy shots and drops are treatment options designed to help reduce sensitivity to specific allergens over time. Both treatments may cause side effects. Allergy shots can include side effects such as sneezing, coughing, tiredness, mucus dripping down the throat, and itching, swelling, and redness at the injection site. Allergy drops can cause side effects including mouth swelling and throat irritation.
CONTACT ENT & SINUS CENTER TODAY
At ENT & Sinus Center, it is our number one priority to help patients deal with uncomfortable allergy symptoms. We offer a full range of allergy treatments, addressing varying degrees of severity. Our team of experts will utilize your medical history, age, gender, and lifestyle along with comprehensive allergy testing to create a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Individual results may vary. Information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911.
