If you’re one of the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer from chronic seasonal allergies, it’s likely that you’ve turned to a variety of different products and services for relief, whether it was simply an over-the-counter remedy or a more advanced treatment recommended by a medical professional. During your search, you may have heard of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), or perhaps more informally, allergy drops – as this treatment can help allergy sufferers alleviate their symptoms.
Still, you may be wondering how this treatment works and how it’s different from other alternative solutions. At its most basic point, SLIT immunotherapy works on this principle: Since most plant pollens cause complications for allergy sufferers when inhaled, placing allergens into the body through alternate means allows the body to absorb an irritant without the same reaction.
According to the world-renowned Massachusetts-based hospital, Tufts Medical Center, the idea is that over time, medical professionals can train the patient’s immune system to neutralize allergens with a more effective response.
European allergy sufferers have been able to try this form of treatment for years, but it is just now becoming more widely popular in America. At Longevity & Stem Cell Centre of Houston, Dr. Marina Pearsall and Dr. Gurney Pearsall, two renowned anti-aging doctors, can help you begin this treatment with the clinical support you need.
How is SLIT immunotherapy administered?
While it may sound complex, SLIT immunotherapy works in the same manner as traditional vaccines and allergy shots without relying on an injection.
As such, many patients find that this option is more convenient and less invasive. When undergoing SLIT immunotherapy, a patient will receive small amounts of allergenic substances, which are usually ingested orally.
SLIT immunotherapy lasts for two to three years, but one of its principal benefits is that it can be administered by the patient. The process is simple: the patient places the extract under their tongue for one minute, after which they swallow the extract.
Even those who travel frequently can do so while administering their drops. SLIT extracts only need to be refrigerated and their size makes them easy and convenient to travel with.
What are the side effects of SLIT immunotherapy?
The most common reactions to SLIT immunotherapy are mild and rare. According to studies, side effects occur only in one out of every 12,000 doses and can include:
- Asthma-like symptoms
- Hives, itching and swelling of the skin
- Itchy or swollen eyes
- Nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea
- Sneezing, congestion and nasal itching.
While serious reactions have been reported, no deaths have been attributable to this allergy prevention method, making it among the safer options available on the market.
Receive expert SLIT immunotherapy from the experts at Longevity & Stem Cell Centre of Houston
Unsure if Sub-Lingual Immuno Therapy is right for you? Speak with a representative from Longevity & Stem Cell Centre of Houston today. Whether you’re experiencing seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma or allergic conjunctivitis, this treatment can be a preferable alternative to regular allergy shots.
In addition, it has been proven to be effective in young children and older adults, and even those who begin the treatment can continue the regimen while pregnant.