Our Plains ENT physicians specialize with ear, nose and throat issues along with allergies, so they can provide a full spectrum of solutions to you and your family. Our providers have many options for treating allergies, from medicine to immunotherapy (allergy drops), to environmental changes.
Allergy Shots for Reduced Sensitivity and Treatment
We also provide allergy shots as a form of treatment.
Intradermal Testing
We provide intradermal testing in which a small amount of the allergen solution is injected into the skin and is more sensitive than the skin prick test.
Allergy Drops
Allergy drops have been used around for more than 60 years, and many studies show allergy drops are safe and effective. Dosing levels and the route of administration are safe enough to effectively treat infants, children, and people suffering from chronic conditions that previously made them unable to receive immunotherapy via shots. In fact, the World Health Organization had endorsed sublingual immunotherapy as a viable alternative to injection therapy.
Allergy drops work similarly to allergy shots by delivering a slowly increasing dose of physician-prescribed antigen that builds the body’s tolerance to the allergens that cause your allergy symptoms. The difference is the drops are placed under the tongue and affect the immune system through very specialized cells found there. Research shows these cells are a friendlier and more effective route for long-term tolerance, making it ideal for people who can’t tolerate or don’t respond to allergy shots. Treatment for most patients lasts between three to five years, depending upon severity of allergies and patient compliance.
Aside from being able to treat more patients, there are other advantages to allergy drops:
- Lower cost, fewer clinic visits
- More convenient, fewer medications
- More healthy days
Although most people who suffer from allergies and related illnesses can benefit from allergy drops, they are especially helpful for people who can’t tolerate or don’t respond to allergy shots, including:
- Infants and children*
- Severe asthmatics
- Highly sensitive patients
- Patients with chronic conditions including sinusitis
- Patients with food and/or mold allergies
- Patients with multiples allergies including dust, pollens, animals and chemicals
*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.
Reprinted with permission from Allergychoices, Inc. © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.