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Allergies are extremely common and can affect individuals during any stage of their life. Allergies can be triggered by numerous allergens – food, medication, pollen, or pet dander are just a few.
Since any substance is a potential allergen, it is not always easy to pinpoint the appropriate treatments or home remedies for allergies. One way to protect yourself is through Allergy Immunotherapy.
The good news is that Allergy Immunotherapy is a potential cure for your allergies and are different from medications such as antihistamines which merely control your allergic symptoms!
Allergy immunotherapy is a form of preventative treatment for allergies. It has proven to be effective in the treatment of animal allergens (cat and dog fur) and house dust mites.
Immunotherapy works by repeatedly introducing allergens into the body. Over time the body’s immune system becomes desensitized and its response to the allergens is slowly modified. As a result, your allergy symptoms are alleviated.
This treatment is best suited for IgE-mediated allergies and works best in patients who suffer from type 1 or type 2 allergies.
Allergy immunotherapy is generally administered in a few ways:
Allergy immunotherapy tablets change your body’s reaction to allergens by gradually eradicating any allergic symptoms. I recommend that you take oral immunotherapy tablets over a period of time, as you will still experience results even after stopping treatment.
Other types of medication like antihistamines, inhalers and nasal sprays tend to only offer temporary relief.
Sublingual immunotherapy is an effective treatment for allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other allergic conditions. It works by boosting the immune system. With sublingual immunotherapy, the patient is better able to tolerate allergens and as a result symptoms will decrease substantially over time.
It is administered in tablet form, where the tablet is placed under the tongue and dissolves immediately. These sublingual tablets are a convenient and efficient way for patients to take their immunotherapy medication and can be taken anywhere at home, work, school, or even on the move.
Immunotherapy injections or allergy shots are administered over a period of time — usually around 3 to 5 years. Each shot contains a small amount of the specific substance(s) that trigger your allergic reaction. The point is to stimulate your immune system and build up your resistance without causing a full blown allergic reaction.
A sublingual immunotherapy spray is a non-invasive allergy treatment in Singapore that does not involve injections. It is extremely effective and safe. It functions by increasing your tolerance of a particular allergen so that your immune system is no longer triggered by a specific allergen. It is particularly successful in treating allergic respiratory diseases like allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Sprays are also administered under the tongue.
There is no permanent fix or cure for allergies; but your symptoms can be managed through allergy treatment and by reducing your exposure to the allergen.
Read on further in the FAQ section to find out more about the different Immunotherapy options!
You can consider immunotherapy if:
- You have allergies and it is affecting your quality of life
- You are constantly exposed to allergens
- Your particular allergy is linked to IgE-mediated allergy conditions, with either a skin prick test or a RAST blood test
Several clinical studies on Allergy Immunotherapy show that this form of therapy produces a noteworthy reduction of allergy-related symptoms; it improves symptoms and reduces the need for allergy medication.
Allergy Immunotherapy addresses the root cause of an allergy and as such delivers long-term benefits to patients. Medical research has also revealed that patients who finish their course of immunotherapy continue to enjoy extended allergy reduction that lasts up to 7-8 years.
Furthermore, allergy immunotherapy is particularly effective against the following medical conditions: allergic rhinitis, asthma, insect sting allergies, and eczema. It is also a powerful weapon against airborne allergens such as house dust mites and pet dander.
A major drawback of Immunotherapy injections is that you could develop anaphylaxis which is a systemic allergic reaction.
Immunotherapy risk factors may include asthma, a history of high-sensitivity allergen exposure, and systemic reactions.
If you are in the above risk bracket, we strongly recommend that you select Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT). It is safer and carries lower risk. With SLIT, patients may only experience a slight itching, tingling, or swelling of the mouth and tongue. As you continue with this treatment, the symptoms dissipate over time, usually within 1 or 2 weeks.
However, immunotherapy is generally safe and the side effects are manageable.
Sublingual immunotherapy tablets contain extracts from allergens. As such, patients may experience mild side effects that affect the throat and mouth. However, these side effects soon subside.
Your doctor will give you the first tablet and monitor you closely to ascertain the severity of your reaction. A plan will be put in place to manage any side effects that surface.
Sublingual immunotherapy spray is:
- Easy to use and can be administered at home without help from your physician
- Can potentially decrease the severity of your asthma and other allergic conditions
- Not onerous to administer (eliminates the need to take several allergy medications)
- Safe
Yes, you can take other allergy medications, but you may be able to eliminate them altogether if your symptoms improve with the SLIT spray.
If you still have concerns, speak to your doctor about the medications you are using and whether or not they can react to the spray.
Storage of sublingual immunotherapy is easy. They can be kept in their blister packet at room temperature (below 30 degrees) in a cool dry place. They can be carried with you wherever you go.
Sublingual Immunotherapy is widely recognized as an effective allergy treatment, but there are certain factors that can affect a patient’s results:
- How effective the treatment depends on how long your course of treatment is. A certain level of commitment is required.
- SLIT must also be taken as your doctor prescribed in order to have the maximum benefit of the treatment i.e. long-term reduction or elimination of allergy symptoms. You can expect fewer allergic flares-ups or even resolution of symptoms.
The adverse effects brought on by the SLIT Spray are mild, usually limited to slight itching or swelling in the treatment area.
There is no need to worry, our doctors will discuss the different allergy treatments in detail and recommend the best-tailored treatment for you.
We are aware that finding an effective allergy treatment can be frustrating — feel free to reach out and we’ll work towards finding the best solution for you.
