Allergy Drops - A Big Advantage
by Ruth Galbraith, ND
Do you suffer from seasonal hay fever? Sneeze when the ragweed comes out? Mold making you itchy? Worse, are your allergies making you miserable year-round? Do you experience several sinus infections annually? Does asthma have you packing around a bag full of prescription inhalers or other medications? Do you get bronchitis like clockwork every winter? Do your food allergies have you starving on a restricted diet?
Perhaps you’ve tried treating your allergies with allergy shots. If you have, you may well have found the relief you sought. Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, work by introducing tiny amounts of the substances to which you are allergic into the body through an injection just below the skin. This stimulates the immune system to react, but not as completely as it would if you were exposed to a higher dose (as you are when you breathe in that pollen or mold). Over time, the idea is that this will desensitize your immune system to the things causing you to react. Allergy shots are great for some, but don’t work for everyone, for a number of reasons.
Now there’s an alternative to shots.by Ruth Galbraith, ND
Allergy drops. Also known as sublingual immunotherapy, allergy drop treatment is similar to traditional allergy shots in that it delivers a slowly increasing dose of the substance or substances (antigen) to which a patient is allergic. Over time, the body builds up a tolerance to these antigens, and won’t respond the way it did in the past, when exposed. What this translates to is significantly decreased symptoms of hay fever or other allergies, or even complete relief from symptoms. Why would you choose allergy drops over allergy shots?
Both are considered very effective. However, for some, injections aren’t an option because they are too afraid of needles. For others, they’re not practical, because numerous visits must be made to a doctor or nurse who administers the injections. Because of the risk of adverse side effects, sometimes even after a patient has been receiving injections for years, allergy shots are not administered at home by the patient. Allergy drops, on the other hand, though they must be prescribed by a doctor, are administered by the patient at his or her convenience, whether at home, work or on vacation, any time of day. Why else would you choose allergy drops? Well, they are not only easier on the patient emotionally and physically, they are easier on the wallet, in the long run. Compared to shots, allergy drops cost less. They also require fewer visits to the doctor, since you administer them yourself. This translates into more money for the things in life you enjoy more than a trip to the doctor’s office! In addition, many patients find they need less medication to control allergy symptoms when they’re taking allergy drops, which leaves even more in the piggy bank. Finally, many patients taking allergy drops report fewer sick days, which means fewer visits to the doctor, and fewer work or school days lost to illness. It’s also easier to stick with the program when you use allergy drops. Scheduling frequent visits to the doctor’s office (sometimes 2 or more visits per week with shots) can be tough to work into a busy schedule, especially if Mom or Dad has to take time off from work and kids have to take time off from school for these visits. When you can take your drops with you and administer them yourself, whenever, wherever, you’ll find your schedule uninterrupted. Who can benefit from allergy drops?
Most likely, you! If you suffer from allergies and related illnesses such as recurrent respiratory or sinus infections, chronic bronchitis, or frequent colds associated with your allergies, you are the perfect candidate for allergy drop treatment. Have you tried allergy shots, but got no relief? Allergy drops may be the answer. They work for some who can’t tolerate or don’t respond to shots. Allergy drops are particularly useful for infants & children who suffer from allergies. Research shows that many children who develop allergies early in life will later develop eczema and/or asthma. Treating early with allergy drops may reduce the possibility of developing these more serious conditions later, by treating the root cause of illness. Infants or children who suffer from chronic ear infections are also likely candidates for allergy drops, as allergies are frequently linked to these recurring infections. If you or your child already suffers from asthma, you may have found allergy shots intolerable. Allergy drops are often more well tolerated by asthmatics, making it possible to desensitize patients to the triggers that bring on their asthma. Asthmatic patients frequently find their need for asthma medications reduced over time, with allergy drops. Do you suffer from food allergies? Allergy shots only address environmental sensitivities. Allergy drops, however, are effective for both environmental and food allergies. Are allergy drops safe?
Allergy drops have been used around the world for more than 60 years, and research has shown them to be both safe and effective for even those unable to treat their allergies by other means. Infants, children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic disease can all use allergy drops safely. The World Health Organization has endorsed allergy drops as an alternative to allergy shots. There has never been an anaphylactic reaction attributed to the use of allergy drops. How are allergy drops prescribed and administered?
You will be tested to determine what you’re allergic to. This test will often be through skin scratch testing or blood testing, or the two combined. Allergy drops will be customized for you, depending on your allergy profile. Though you may take your first dose of allergy drops in the doctor’s office, subsequent dosing will be done by you at home. The doctor will monitor your progress and may alter the drop formula over time. If allergies are seasonal, some patients will be instructed to use drops during only part of the year. Most patients will take drops daily for three to five years, depending on the severity of their allergies, and the individual response to sublingual immunotherapy.