Early treatment of allergies has been shown to relieve symptoms and prevent the development of other related conditions such as asthma. Besides allergy medications, your allergist may recommend that you receive allergy shots or drops.
Allergy shots and drops are a type of immunotherapy, gradually helping build the body’s tolerance to an allergen. This means you will be better able to tolerate exposure to those allergens and exhibit minimal symptoms.
Allergy drops are daily drops of allergen extract are placed under the tongue for 1-2 minutes. Drops are administered at home after the first dose is tolerated in our office. Treatment begins approximately three months prior to peak allergy season and continues through the completion of allergy season. Year-round therapy may also be considered. While allergy drops are not as effective as allergy shots, they do offer a safe, convenient option for those who do not tolerate allergy shots, as well as people who are unable to commit to an allergy shot schedule.
Although not covered by insurance, allergy drops offer the convenience of home and no need to drive to a clinic for allergy shots. Patients may also use their flexible spending account to pay for drops.
If you suffer from environmental allergies and are between 5 to 65 years old, you may be a candidate for this treatment option. Talk to your ARC Allergist to be evaluated for allergy drops.
Allergy shots allow your immune system to change the way it responds to the allergens that make you sick. This means you will be better able to tolerate exposure to those allergens and exhibit minimal symptoms. When you get an allergy shot, you will actually receive the allergen that is making you sick. This is done in a way that strengthens your immune system so that you become “immune” to the allergen. Allergy shots have been found to be effective in the treatment of rhinitis and asthma. When started early in the disease process, allergy shots may help reduce the chance that a child will develop asthma later in life.
During the flu season it is important to note that in order to better treat any possible patient reactions, all patients receiving the flu vaccine must wait 24 hours before resuming allergy shots.