What is sublingual immunotherapy?

Unlike most allergy drugs – which treat only symptoms – sublingual immunotherapy addresses the underlying causes 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, molds, and animals can be treated.

Is it safe and effective?

Sublingual immunotherapy has been used in various parts of the world for 60-plus years. More than 100 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals prove that sublingual treatment is both safe and effective.

When is the best time to start sublingual immunotherapy?

If you are suffering from seasonal allergies due to tree, grass, weed, ragweed or pollen, you should be started at least one month prior to the season, and the treatment should be continued during the season using a maintenance dose.

If you are suffering from allergies not only in the spring, summer or fall due to pollen allergy, but also throughout the year, you will require a build-up of antigen followed by a daily maintenance dosage for 3 to 5 years.

Will my medical insurance cover the costs of sublingual immunotherapy?

Sublingual immunotherapy will cost generally $60 per month. Sublingual immunotherapy is not covered by health insurance plans. Patients are expected to pay for the allergy extract at the time of the visit using either cash, check, or credit/debit card. The office visits, testing, and other prescription medications will however continue to be covered by your insurance if you have coverage.

Can my child be treated?

Yes! Children from infancy on up can be treated with allergy drops. Because sublingual therapies use carefully measured frequent doses to treat allergic conditions effectively, they are able to treat children early-on enabling them to treat the root cause of the allergy before it develops into other related conditions.

What is an allergy?

Allergy is the body’s over-reaction to a substance that the body considers benign—animal dander, pollens, house dust, house dust mites, and mold spores. Patients with allergies frequently suffer from runny, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, and tightness in the chest, coughing, frequent sinus infections, postnasal drainage, headaches, fatigue, hives, and eczema.

Do I need to be experiencing full-blown allergy symptoms at the time of the visit?

No, you do not need to be experiencing any allergy symptoms at the time of your visit in order to be evaluated for allergies. Our skin testing methods will accurately determine which allergies cause your allergy symptoms, even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms.

I am presently being treated at another office for allergies with allergy injections, can I start on sublingual immunotherapy?

All you have to do is transfer your medical records, including allergy skin testing results. At your visit we will discuss the possibility of starting on sublingual immunotherapy with one of our Board Certified Allergists.