Sublingual immunotherapy is the treatment of allergies via oral dosing (drops under the tongue) of small amounts of the allergen (the substance the individual is allergic to). It is currently offered for the treatment of airborne allergens eg: cat/dog dander, tree & grass pollen, dust mites, moulds. SLIT treatment is currently offered at many prestigious hospitals, such as John Hopkins.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Many published scientific studies have shown that it significantly reduces allergy symptoms. Exposure to small amounts of the offending agent or allergen overtime increases the body’s natural immunity and increases tolerance to these allergens. By increasing immune tolerance, the body’s future allergic response is altered.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Currently, you can get allergy ‘shots’ or immunotherapy injections done through a medical doctor, typically an allergist. However with these oral drops, you can take them in the comfort of home or office as dosing is via a small bottle. This saves you countless trips to the doctor, offers a less expensive yet equally effective (in some cases, more superior) method of allergy treatment without concern of exposure to the preservatives and additives found in injectable allergy shots. It is also a good alternative for people who are uncomfortable with injections – especially children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed sublingual immunotherapy as a viable alternative to injection immunotherapy.
