{"id":8934,"date":"2021-09-30T16:50:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T23:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entsalem.com\/?p=8934"},"modified":"2021-10-04T16:53:22","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T23:53:22","slug":"skip-the-shot-with-allergy-drops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entsalem.com\/skip-the-shot-with-allergy-drops\/","title":{"rendered":"Skip the Shot with Allergy Drops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you suffer from itchy, watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, sneezing and wheezing that are not well-controlled with over-the-counter medications? If so, you may be a good candidate for immunotherapy. A new form of immunotherapy that\u2019s gaining popularity is allergy<\/a> drops.<\/p>\n\n\n

Allergies Are an Immune System Response<\/h2>\n\n\n
\"Sinus<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To understand how immunotherapy works, it\u2019s important to know what causes allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergies are the immune system\u2019s response to normally-harmless foreign substances it deems a threat, like pollen from Bush\u2019s Pasture Park<\/a>. When the body is exposed to one of these substances, known as an allergen, it overreacts by releasing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE tells the cells to release histamine, which increases mucus production and causes inflammation. In short, it is this chemical that\u2019s responsible for your allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n

How Allergy Drops Work<\/h2>\n\n\n

Immunotherapy is a treatment option<\/a> that works by introducing small amounts of allergen extracts into the body so that the immune system can build up a tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step before starting immunotherapy is to get an allergy test, which will reveal exactly what you\u2019re allergic to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The triggering allergens are then prepared in a droplet or tablet form. These drops are tablets are placed under the tongue until they dissolve. The first dose must be administered in an allergy clinic so that your response can be monitored, then the following doses can be taken at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How often you take the drops depends on what you\u2019re allergic to and how your body responds. You may take the drops just a few times a week or as often as every day. If you have seasonal allergies, you only need to take the drops in the weeks leading up to and during allergy season, but if you have year-round allergies, treatment is year-round as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is continued for three to five years or until you no longer experience allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n

Allergy Drops Are Safe and Effective<\/h2>\n\n\n

According to a review<\/a> of published studies on allergy drops, this form of allergy treatment is highly safe and effective. A study<\/a> from 2017 found that with allergy drops, there is a very low risk of severe reaction compared to allergy shots. For more information about allergy drops<\/a> or to schedule an appointment with an allergy expert, call Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n