How Immunotherapy Can Help Alleviate Allergies

What does having allergies really mean? While yes, we all know it means you probably sneeze or have itchy, watery eyes when you come in contact with an allergen (most commonly an animal or dust). But an allergen is actually an abnormal response of the immune system when you come in contact with a foreign substance. This led researchers to explore the idea of creating a treatment that would work with the immune system to help prevent allergy attacks. Then, in 1981, immunotherapy for allergies were created.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is the prevention or treatment of a disease with substances that stimulate an immune response. Probably the most common form of immunotherapy comes in the form of vaccines. When you get a vaccine, your doctor injects a small or weakened dose of a virus into your body, so that you can easily fight it and make the antibodies that will prevent you from catching the real virus in the future.

Immunotherapy has been used for years to fight everything from cancer to measles. Now, it can also help treat allergies. Just like a vaccine, “allergy shots” are injected into your body with the thing you are allergic to (pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander).

How does immunotherapy work?

At first, you’ll receive a shot once or twice a week for six months. Each week, the dosage will increase slightly. After six months, you’ll only need the treatment once or twice a month. If you respond well to the treatment and are experiencing less symptoms, you will continue getting the shots once a month for the next several years.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) vs. Traditional Allergy Injection

Traditional allergy injections are shots that are injected into your body (most typically your arm). Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) places an allergen under your tongue. This method has been shown to reduce a patient’s sensitivity to the allergen. SLIT can also be used to treat airborne and chronic, non-severe food allergies.

If you're suffering from allergies this spring or summer, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat. We offer the most advanced allergy screening, allergy management, and immunotherapy treatments available. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE!