If allergy shots aren't a good option for you, you may be interested in exploring the option of using allergy drops to build up your tolerance to allergens. This user-friendly method of desensitization is called Sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT, and consists of placing drops (or tablets) that contain allergen extracts under your tongue on a regular basis in order to increase your resistance to these substances.
A Feasible Approach
Allergy drops are a relatively new concept in the United States and are not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nonetheless, some allergists around the nation are already offering this treatment option to their patients. Further, the latest research studies indicate that this can be an effective strategy, although there have been mixed results in terms of how this compares to allergy injections. In addition, SLIT has long been used in Europe with great success. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes allergy drops viable treatment alternative to allergen immunotherapy.
Added Convenience
While some research studies reveal that allergy drops don't have as large of an impact in preventing allergies as injections do, there are still many benefits for selecting this treatment method. For instance, allergy drops offer much greater convenience. While allergy shots need to be administered in the doctor's office in case you have a reaction to the serum, allergy drops come with little risk of side effects and therefore you can take them in the comfort and convenience of your own home, school or workplace. Wherever you are, the drops are easy to bring with you, which makes them appealing for people with busy schedules, as well as for those who travel often or don't have regular transportation to get to the doctor for shots.
Little or No Risk
In addition, allergy drops seem to have little or no risk of causing very serious reactions, according to medical experts. The biggest complaint that people who try it seem to make is that they get an itching sensation in their mouths. Other more uncomfortable symptoms can also occur in a smaller number of cases but none of these reactions seem to be dangerous. This makes them very feasible for people with serious allergies who worry about the dangers inherent in allergy shots. On drawback to the method, though, is that without FDA approval, at the present time the treatment is not covered by health insurance. Nonetheless, some patients find that the cost (which in some cases may be comparable to a person's co-pay for covered services) can end up being well worth the benefits.
