Diagnostics Services
Active and Passive Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a globally accepted and validated treatment for allergic rhinitis. This mode of treatment modulates the immunity of the patient and hence improves his / her ability to combat the efffects of allergens. It is a much better option than the continuous use of topical and systemic medications, which invariably have side effects in the long term. The immunotherapy is custom-designed individually for each patient and is administered orally.
Immunotherapy reduces the intensity and frequency of allergic attacks and is proven to significantly improve the quality of life. It also reduces the patient's dependence upon anti-histaminics and steroids.
What is sublingual immunotherapy?
Unlike most allergy drugs - which treat only symptoms - sublingual immunotherapy addresses the underlying cause of allergies. Allergy drops are administered in gradually increasing dosages until the patient develops a tolerance to the allergy-causing substance. What is an antigen? An antigen is an allergy-causing substance. Examples include dust, pollen, mold, insect venom and specific foods such as fish, wheat, corn and eggs.
What kind of allergies can be treated with allergy drops?
The benefit of sublingual immunotherapy is that a broad range of allergies, including those caused by dust mites, pollen, mold, animals, foods and chemicals, can be treated.
Who should take allergy drops?
Although most allergy sufferers can benefit from allergy drops, they're especially ideal for people who can't tolerate or don't respond to allergy shots, as well as people who are unable to commit to allergy shot therapy.
These people include: Infants and children* Asthmatics Highly sensitive people Those with chronic conditions including sinusitis People with food and mold (fungal) allergies People with multiple allergies including dust, pollen, animals *Allergy drops have proven especially helpful for children with eczema and recurrent ear infections, which often have underlying allergic causes. Research shows that many children with untreated eczema and allergies often develop asthma and other chronic conditions later in life, so treating them early can have life-long benefits and may prevent development of other allergies.
Are allergy drops safe? Is there research validating their effectiveness?
Allergy drops have been used around the world, and numerous studies validate both the safety and effectiveness. In fact, the World Health Organization has endorsed sublingual immunotherapy as a viable alternative to injection therapy. It has been recently concluded allergy drop immunotherapy significantly reduced allergy symptoms and use of allergy medications.
What are the advantages of allergy drops?
In addition to being a viable option for people of all ages, there are other advantages to allergy drops. Lower cost, fewer clinic visits. Compared to shots, allergy drops cost less and require fewer clinic visits. Most patients receiving allergy drops need only a few clinic visits the first year, and once every 6-12 months thereafter until visits are no longer needed. More convenient. You can take allergy drops at home or wherever you need to be, making it much easier to stay with your treatment. Less medication. Our patients report, and research confirms, that they typically need less medication to control symptoms after beginning allergy drops. Enjoy healthier days. The end benefit? Feeling better. Patients typically report fewer clinic visits, hospitalizations, and less lost time from work and school after taking drops consistently.
Why don't more patients receive allergy drops if they're so effective?
Allergy drops are widely accepted as an effective treatment throughout the world. In fact, 50-75 percent of allergy sufferers in southern Europe are treated with allergy drops. That acceptance is growing throughout the world, and is beginning to grow in the United States as the treatment becomes more widely available.
Where can I get allergy drops?
Interest is growing among physicians from around the country to offer sublingual immunotherapy for their patients, however there may not be a physician located directly in your city. However, one of the benefits to allergy drops versus allergy shots is the decreased need for office visits. Allergy drops can be administered from home, while physician follow up may vary from six to 12 month intervals depending on the symptoms and severity of your allergies.
What are the ingredients?
Each prescription is a custom solution for each patient according to the type and severity of allergy. Drop prescriptions contain concentrates of the allergen the patient is found to be allergic to upon testing. Typically, the antigens are put into a glycerin solution for stability. There are no additional preservatives added.
What is the treatment process?
The first step is to confirm a patient's allergies through allergy testing. Then, a custom-mixed vial of drops is prepared for the patient. The patient takes drops under the tongue daily. During the first four months, called the "escalation phase," the dosage is gradually increased. After that, in the "maintenance phase," the patient takes the same dose of drops each day.
How long will I need to take my drops?
Most patients take allergy drops each day for 1 to 2 years, but it varies according to the severity of their allergies, seasonality, and how compliant they are with treatment. Many patients can begin to see symptom improvement within a few weeks to months.
How Can I order allergy drops from you?
Allergy drop treatment requires a physician to dose and monitor your treatment progress. Allergy drops using our treatment approach are dosed and adjusted over time based on your allergy test results rather than a one-size-fits all treatment approach. This helps to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness for each patient while also helping to reduce the likelihood of treatment side effects that have been noted with other treatment approaches.How long can I expect the effects of allergy drops to last?
A benefit of immunotherapy whether allergy shots or allergy drops - is that it can alter the course of allergic disease by treating the root cause, not just the symptoms. Once tolerance is built, it can be permanent for many patients. Key studies have already been conducted to explore the long-lasting effect of allergy drops, including a 10-year study on children with asthma that demonstrated drops maintained effectiveness long after treatment stopped. But even the best treatments won't work if you don't stay with them. Like allergy shot treatment, it's important to stay with allergy drop treatment until your doctor has determined treatment can be discontinued to give you the best chance of long-term effectiveness.