Immunotherapy is a way to desensitize yourself to indoor and outdoor environmental allergens that you may suffer from. There are now two effective ways for allergen desensitization – allergy injections (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy, SCIT) or sublingual allergy drops (Sublingual Immunotherapy, SLIT).
Allergy Injections
Allergy shots consist of a series of injections containing increasing doses of your most important allergy triggers, such as dust mite, cat, dog allergen, pollen or mold. This leads to a tolerance that decreases the underlying inflammation, which is the cause of your symptoms. If you suffer from a number of allergies, multiple allergens are usually mixed together to minimize the number of injections you need. As a precaution, patients must remain in our office for 30 minutes after receiving the allergy shot to monitor you for the unlikely event of an adverse reaction. Allergy shots are supervised in our offices of Advanced Allergy and Asthma Care. Treatment consists of the initial “build-up“ phase during which the dose is gradually increased, followed by the “maintenance” phase when the top does is repeated. To build a lasting immunity, treatment usually continued for three to five years. Allergy shots are covered by most insurance, so be sure to check with your insurer.
Allergy Drops
SLIT is a therapy done at your home by applying drops containing your allergy triggers (prepared by an allergist) under the tongue. The first dose is given in the office and subsequent drops are taken at home. Every three months, you will need an office visit to monitor your progress and get fresh drops. As with injections, treatment consists of a “build-up” phase to gradually increase the dosage, followed by a “maintenance” phase when you will take the same dose of drops each day. This “maintenance” phase usually continues for three to five years as well. Allergy drops are an “off-label” use of an FDA-approved product and are generally not covered by insurance.
If you suffer from allergies, our doctors at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Care can help improve your quality of life. With convenient locations in Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk, and Ridgefield in Fairfield County, Connecticut, we specialize in the treatment of nasal allergies, eye allergies, as well as food, medication and skin allergies.