San Francisco ENT & Allergy | Sublingual Immunotherapy

The only treatment that reprograms the overreacting immune system is immunotherapy, which involves gradual delivery of the substances that trigger allergies to acclimate the body to the world around it.

Over 85% of patients who receive immunotherapy over the recommended period of time experience significant improvement or complete relief from their symptoms. With these ongoing treatments, both seasonal and perennial allergies will improve and your use of allergy medications will decrease.

Allergy sublingual drop immunotherapy (SLIT)

SLIT works much like shots, slowly desensitizing you to your allergies. They’re delivered under the tongue in a drop form that patients can take at home. With today’s busy lifestyles, drops are an ideal solution for many of our allergy patients who can’t find the time to come in for a weekly shot. Because of their safety profile, they are also the ideal way to administer immunotherapy to children, those patients highly reactive to shots, asthmatics, and those with “needle phobia. Like shots, most patients find their treatment takes three to five years to complete.
SLIT delivers a slowly increasing dose of the allergic causing substance called an antigen ** by building up the body’s tolerance to that antigen (**An antigen is an allergy-causing substance, examples include dust, pollen, mold, insect venom, and specific foods such as fish, wheat, nuts, and eggs)

Who benefits from SLIT?
Although most people who suffer from allergies and related illnesses can benefit from allergy drops, many people aren’t aware it’s an option. For those whose allergies prevent them from living a full, productive life, allergy drops provide an effective, safe, and cost-effective option.Through its safety profile, SLIT allows patients who are not candidates for injection immunotherapy to receive the benefits of immunotherapy. These include children, highly reactive patients who can’t tolerate shots or don’t respond to shots, asthmatics, and those with food allergies.
Who are the best candidates for sublingual immunotherapy?
● Most people who suffer from allergies and related illnesses can benefit from allergy drops, many people are not aware that drops are a viable option. SLIT is especially helpful for people who can’t tolerate or don’t respond to allergy shots, including:
● Infants and children. 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 lifelong benefits.● Severe asthmatics. Research studies show positive outcomes when sublingual was used to treat asthma, and a number of additional studies are currently underway. SLIT can provide desensitization for triggers and thus moderate the need for medication for our asthma patients. And because of its safety profile, even severe asthmatics can be given a chance to reduce their symptoms.● Patients with chronic conditions including sinusitis. Recent research has validated the longstanding view that chronic sinus conditions and allergies are connected. Treating the underlying allergic disease with SLIT has shown favorable results in patients with chronic sinus conditions.● Patients with food and mold allergies. Other than avoidance and symptom relief, there has been little to offer patients suffering from these allergies. Clinical evidence shows a great deal of promise in treating food and mold allergies through sublingual immunotherapy, which even the most sensitive patients can tolerate. Additional research is currently underway to corroborate clinical findings in the U.S., and a number of European studies indicate its effectiveness.● Highly sensitive patients. SLIT may be the ideal solution for patients who are “needle averse,” unwilling or unable to undergo injection therapy. This includes patients who have experienced systemic reactions to injection therapy, who dread shots, who cannot travel, and especially those who are young.● Patients with multiple allergies including dust, pollen, animals, and chemicals have shown marked improvements after following a regular SLIT treatment regimen.
What are the advantages of SLIT?
● EASY TO USE. The allergy drops are simply placed under the tongue and are used on a daily basis. Drops can now provide desensitization to even severe asthmatics who for mostly safety reasons were unable to tolerate injections.● 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 a year.● More convenient. You can take allergy drops at home or wherever you are – even while traveling as they need no special storage, thus making it much easier to stick with treatment.● Infants and children. 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 allergies develop asthma and other chronic conditions later in life, so treating them early can have lifelong benefits.● More allergy-free days. Many patients find they need less medication to control symptoms after being on allergy drops. Our patients typically report fewer clinic visits, less time lost from work and school, after taking their allergy drops consistently● Chronic sinusitis patients. In many patients, chronic sinus and allergies are related. Treating the underlying allergic disease with drops has shown favorable results in reducing the frequency of their sinus infections.
Is SLIT Safe and Effective?
Sublingual immunotherapy treatment (SLIT) has been used for more than 50 years, and most studies show that they 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. We at San Francisco ENT and Allergy have a strong track record of safety and success with this form of treatment.In fact, the World Health Organization has endorsed sublingual immunotherapy as a viable alternative to injection therapy.
The well-respected Cochrane Collaboration, the world’s most-trusted international organization dedicated to reviewing healthcare treatments, recently concluded sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) significantly reduced allergy symptoms and the use of allergy medications.
The safety profile for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is superior to injection based on research studies and patient treatment experience. Systemic reactions occur 3x less with sublingual, and there has never been an anaphylactic reaction (life-threatening) recorded over the 30+ years of sublingual treatment.
Compliance has not been studied extensively. However, one large managed-care organization did find 50% of patients receiving allergy shots dropped out of therapy during the first year. In looking at sublingual compliance among patients in many of the studies identified previously, approximately 90% of patients complete their treatment.
Treatment Steps
Sublingual immunotherapy treatment (SLIT) is similar to injection therapy, with a few unique additions.
Testing & EvaluationThe first step is to confirm which allergies are present and how severe they are. The medical history plays a large role here. Skin or blood testing is used to confirm suspected allergies.
Environmental ControlOnce allergies are confirmed, we help patients find ways to avoid allergens by suggesting changes in diet and lifestyle when possible.
PharmacologyTo help reduce symptoms, you might be prescribed medications, such as non-sedating antihistamines and nose sprays. As treatment continues, most patients find their need for medication decreases.

Who benefits from SLIT?

Who are the best candidates for sublingual immunotherapy?

What are the advantages of SLIT?

Is SLIT Safe and Effective?

Treatment Steps