Sublingual Immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy uses allergy drops placed under the tongue instead of shots. Repeated doses of an allergen can slowly change how your immune system responds to it. This differs from medicine that only treats symptoms as they happen. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates offers this treatment to eligible children and adults once testing finds your allergen triggers.
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When Is Sublingual Immunotherapy Recommended?
Once testing confirms your allergies, allergy drops may be an option. If avoidance or medication alone doesn’t improve your symptoms, drops can also help. Your age, health history, and symptoms all help determine whether this treatment is right for you. Some patients choose sublingual therapy when symptoms disrupt their sleep or daily activities, while others prefer it simply because it avoids needles altogether.
How Sublingual Immunotherapy Works
The treatment uses repeated doses of chosen allergens placed under the tongue. Over time, this can help your immune system react less to them.
Identifying Your Allergens
We start with testing and a review of your symptoms. This helps us find out which allergens are behind your reactions. Our allergists use these results to build your treatment plan.
Gradual Allergen Exposure
Your treatment uses chosen allergen extracts, which we calibrate to your plan. Repeated doses over time help your body build tolerance to them. Our specialists will guide you on how to use them.
Changes in Allergy Response
Many patients become less sensitive to their triggers during treatment. Symptoms often become milder or less frequent, and some patients require less medication to control them. Every patient is different, and this treatment will not cure all types of allergies.
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Sublingual Immunotherapy Process We Follow
Our process starts with a complete allergy check-up and testing. This helps us see if the treatment fits your needs.
Medical History and Allergy Evaluation
Your visit starts with a conversation about your symptoms and when they tend to show up. From there, we look at seasonal patterns, indoor and outdoor triggers, and any treatments you’ve tried before. We’ll also talk through what you’re hoping to get out of treatment.
Allergy Testing
Testing helps us determine what allergens may be causing your symptoms. This may be a skin test or blood test. Then we read the results in conjunction with your symptoms and history.
Determining Treatment Eligibility
Once we confirm your allergies, we review your full allergy profile. We also factor in your age and overall health. From there, we decide if sublingual therapy is right for you.
Starting Allergy Drops
You place the allergen extract under your tongue on a set schedule. We walk you through proper use, and you usually continue treatment at home. SWAAA offers this as a needle-free option for eligible patients.
Monitoring Treatment Response
We check in on your symptoms and how you respond to treatment. We talk about any reactions or concerns at each visit, then modify your plan accordingly and schedule follow-ups.
What Allergies Can Allergy Drops Treat?
Sublingual immunotherapy works for select allergens, not every type of allergy. For some allergens, we prescribe FDA-approved tablets. Others may use extracts your allergist prescribes off-label based on your case.
Pollen Allergies
Allergy drops may help with tree, grass, and weed pollen. These triggers often cause seasonal symptoms that return each year.
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mites often cause indoor symptoms that last all year. Testing helps confirm if dust mites are behind your reactions.
Mold Allergies
Both indoor and outdoor mold can trigger symptoms in some patients. If testing shows mold is a trigger, we may add it to your plan. Since there’s no FDA-approved drop for mold, we use a compounded extract prescribed specifically for you, based on your test results and history.
Animal Dander Allergies
Reactions to cats and dogs are a common reason patients seek this treatment. We may also treat other animal triggers when appropriate for your case. However, not every allergen comes in drop form; our allergists will confirm whether a compounded extract is appropriate for your specific triggers.
What to Expect During Sublingual Immunotherapy
Allergy drops are a long-term treatment. They call for steady use and regular check-ins along the way.
Starting Treatment
You’ll follow a set dosing schedule and learn how to use your drops. We’ll explain what to expect, along with the safety steps.
Continuing Treatment at Home
Once you start, you’ll take your treatment on schedule at home. Let our providers know about any concerns so we can keep track of your treatment. Keeping your follow-up visits matters as well.
Monitoring Progress
We track your symptoms and check how well the treatment is working. It helps us see if your plan needs any changes.
Treatment Timeline
Sublingual immunotherapy calls for steady use, and benefits can take time to show. Response differs from patient to patient. Most patients use daily drops for around 3–5 years to see lasting benefit, similar to allergy shots.
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Why Patients Choose Our Sublingual Immunotherapy Services
Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates has cared for patients for over 40 years. We build custom treatment plans for kids and adults, guided by thorough testing. Along with allergy drops, we also offer traditional allergy shots for patients who prefer that route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both are forms of allergen immunotherapy, but sublingual immunotherapy is taken under the tongue, while you receive allergy shots by injection. Our allergist can help you pick the option that fits you best.
Sublingual immunotherapy may work well for some kids, depending on their age and health. We check each child on their own before suggesting any treatment.
Sublingual immunotherapy is generally safe when a provider prescribes it and watches it closely. As with any treatment, there’s some risk of a reaction, which is why we follow up often.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If allergy symptoms keep coming back despite medicine or avoiding triggers, it may be time for a check-up. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates can review your symptoms, testing, and options to see if this treatment fits. Schedule your visit today.
