IMMUNOTHERAPY

Immunotherapy is a highly effective form of allergy treatment that targets underlying causes of allergic reactions. Therapy uses small but increasing doses of allergen repeatedly given to patients to make their immune system less sensitive to it. This, in turn, can also prevent the development of asthma, rhinitis, and new allergies.

People experience less severe and fewer allergy symptoms, if at all, for many years after treatment has been completed.

Allergy Shots (SCIT)

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• Treats many allergic conditions: allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma; allergies to insect stings, pollen, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, and pet dander

• Can treat more than one type of allergen per injection

• An established treatment that has been used for over 100 years

• Involves the 30-minute post-injection observation period at the allergist’s office

• Only administered one to two times a month

Allergy Tablets (SLIT):

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• More acceptable to the patients with a fear of needles

• Offers the freedom to treat your allergies at home after an initial visit with a specialist

• No post-injection observation period

• Can treat only one type of allergen per tablet

• Must be taken daily

• Only tablets for ragweed, grass pollen (timothy grass) and dust mites have the FDA approval

Both subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapies (SLIT) are highly effective forms of allergen immunotherapy that treats the underlying cause of allergic reactions.