Allergy season is just around the corner and for many it is a dreaded time of year that leaves them dependent on antihistamines, boxes of tissues, and any other medications they can find to help relieve their symptoms. If this sounds like you, look no further… There is a solution that I have seen many of my patients experience relief with, even lessening their symptoms from season to season.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) is a non-invasive treatment option that uses oral drops instead of injections. The allergen serums and concentrations used are no different than what is used in allergy shots, however, SLIT is given as drops under the tongue which allows for fewer clinic visits when compared to allergy injections. Both options treat the cause of allergies by giving small doses of allergens to increase your immunity or tolerance to the allergens and reduce allergic symptoms over time.
The safety profile is superior to injection immunotherapy as systemic reactions are three times less with SLIT and no anaphylactic reactions have been reported.
Clinical experience with SLIT spans more than 30 years; and more than 60 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have been published in peer reviewed journals with favourable results. Even the World Health Organization has endorsed SLIT as a viable alternative to injection therapy.
Symptom relief is experienced within the first few months of starting treatment. It is best to begin treatment 30-60 days prior to and throughout allergy season. If you have tried everything under the sun to relieve your allergy symptoms, then consider SLIT for this season. All you need is an up to date allergy scratch report either through your Allergist or Dr. Sjovold in order to receive a SLIT prescription and start saying goodbye to itchy eyes and runny noses.
Dr. Sarah Sjovold grew up in a family that valued the use of natural medicines. Thanks to this early exposure, and after receiving both alternative and conventional medicine for a chronic illness, Dr. Sjovold developed a deep appreciation for the art of healing.