People who suffer from allergies that don’t respond to other treatments may find relief from immunotherapy. This method relies on building a tolerance to an allergen by introducing it to the body in small doses over a period of several years.
It’s usually given in the form of allergy shots. However, another option for some allergies is sublingual immunotherapy. It involves taking allergy drops or tablets as opposed to an injection.
How Sublingual Immunotherapy Compares to Allergy Shots
While both methods work in a similar fashion, there are some differences that may factor into your decision.
Allergy Shots
- Must be performed in a doctor’s office
- May cause swelling at the injection site, as well as sneezing, nasal congestion and hives
- Have a higher risk of more severe reactions when compared to allergy drops or tablets
- In rare cases, it may cause anaphylaxis (which can be quickly treated as the shots are administered in a clinical setting)
Allergy Drops and Tablets
- Don’t require a needle
- Can be taken by the patient in the comfort of their own home after the first dose
- May cause itching in the mouth and upset stomach
- Less likely to cause a severe reaction than allergy shots
- Anaphylaxis is very unlikely, but your allergist will likely prescribe an EpiPen® just in case
Does Sublingual Immunotherapy Work?
Allergy drops and tablets have been shown to be effective for treating several different allergies. They have been most extensively tested in grass pollen allergies, but they can also be used to treat allergies triggered by ragweed, pet dander and dust mites.
One study examined the effectiveness of sublingual therapy on dust mite allergies and found that patients reported significantly fewer nasal and asthma-like symptoms after one to three years of treatment.
Talk to Your Allergist About Treatment Options
If you’d like to take walks through a Spartanburg park free of symptoms, make an appointment with an allergist to discuss your options. They can perform allergy tests and discuss your treatment options to see if sublingual immunotherapy might be right for you.
Even if you aren’t a candidate for this particular therapy, they can recommend other options like antihistamines, nasal sprays and prevention methods to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
