All About Allergen Immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy is a method in which a person is given the substance to which they are allergic, resulting in hyposensitization, leading to a reduction or elimination of allergy symptoms.  The allergen, or substance causing the allergy, is given in increasing amounts to a person either as an injection under the skin or as a drop or tablet under the tongue. This process results in the immune system changing how the body responds to the allergen; the end result being fewer allergy symptoms, the need for less allergy medications, and potentially a complete cure with resolution of symptoms. Compared to allergy medicines, which act to simply “cover up” symptoms, immunotherapy is the only treatment that changes the immune response.

Someone forward you this email? No Sweat! Sign up here to get your own If you're having trouble viewing this email, click here Follow Us All About Allergen Immunotherapy Allergen immunotherapy is a method in which a person is given the substance to which they are allergic, resulting in hyposensitization, leading to a reduction or elimination of allergy symptoms.  The allergen, or substance causing the allergy, is given in increasing amounts to a person either as an injection under the skin or as a drop or tablet under the tongue. This process results in the immune system changing how the body responds to the allergen; the end result being fewer allergy symptoms, the need for less allergy medications, and potentially a complete cure with resolution of symptoms. Compared to allergy medicines, which act to simply “cover up” symptoms, immunotherapy is the only treatment that changes the immune response. Daniel More, MD Allergies Expert All About Allergy Shots When medications fail to adequately control allergy symptoms and avoidance of the trigger is not easy or possible, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy or “allergy shots”. This treatment consists of a series of injections containing small amounts of the substances to which a person is allergic. After a course of allergy shots, 80 to 90 percent of patients have less allergy symptoms, and in many cases their allergies have completely resolved. READ NOW All About Allergy Drops (Sublingual Immunotherapy) Sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT, is a form of immunotherapy that involves putting drops of allergen extracts under the tongue. Many people refer to this process as “allergy drops,” and it is an alternative treatment for allergy shots. This form of immunotherapy has been used for years in Europe, and recently has had increased interest in the United States. However, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. READ NOW Which to Choose: Shots or Drops? Many people ask the question: Allergy shots or allergy drops? Which one should I choose? Both have advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice depends on many factors, including the ability to travel to the doctor's office, the age of the person needing immunotherapy, the cost of allergy shots vs drops, as well as the amount of different allergies that a person has on skin testing. READ NOW Featured Articles • Eat These 10 Foods for a Healthy Immune System • 6 Tried and True Cold and Flu Remedies • Recipe for a Thyroid-Friendly Green Smoothie • 4 Easy Ways to Rinse Your Sinuses • Top 10 Dumbbell Exercises for Fat Loss • Exercise For Seniors - Living Better As You Age • 10 Cold and Flu Remedies That Don't Work. • VLCDs are Popular but Healthy? Advertisement About Allergies  |  Follow Us You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Allergies newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2015 About.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.