Allergen Immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy is a medical treatment for allergies that involves receiving a series of injections or sublingual drops over a period of time. Allergen Immunotherapy works for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.

Am I A Good Candidate for Allergen Immunotherapy?

Physicians may recommend allergen immunotherapy if a patient:

• Experiences side effects from other allergy medications
• Suffers from a respiratory condition such as asthma
• Continues to experience allergies despite avoidance and medication
• Is allergic to a few unavoidable allergens

How Does Allergen Immunotherapy Work?

Allergen immunotherapy works by exposing your immune system to larger and larger amounts of a specific allergen. Over time, the incremental increase in exposure desensitizes and changes your immune system’s response to the allergen

Immunotherapy can be administered via two methods:

• Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
• Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)

Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy or SCIT) are safe and effective and remain standard treatment at our practice and other practices throughout the country.

Injections are initially given once a week. As treatment progresses, injections are scheduled bi-weekly and eventually monthly. While the course of treatment may take three to five years, the results last a lifetime.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)

Sublingual immunotherapy utilizes drops that are placed under the tongue. Like allergy shots, the dosage increases as treatment progresses to desensitize the immune system to an allergen. This method is a safe and effective alternative for pediatric patients or those who cannot tolerate injections.

Most patients begin to notice benefits from treatment within 9-12 months. The total treatment time to achieve maximal benefit is typically three years.