Frequently Asked Questions

What is an "allergy"?

An allergy is a peculiar reaction to a substance called antigen/allergen than is not harmful or irritating to normal, non-allergic people.  It is labeled an "allergy" when the body produces an inflammatory response which non-allergic people do not experience. A useful analogy is the following: Salt poured on intact, healthy skin causes no discomfort, but if you pour salt on an open wound it is quite painful.

Most people believe that an allergy refers to any uncomfortable reaction to a substance that is inhaled, ingested, or applied to the skin. Symptoms that are attributed to allergy include sneezing, wheezing, nasal irritation, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose, heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, and a variety of skin rashes.

Allergy symptoms can significantly reduce the affected individual's quality of life,  often both personally and professionally.  At the Maxwell Clinic, it is our goal to treat the whole individual, not just the allergy symptoms which are affecting the patient.  Treatment includes partnering with the patient and working toward the ultimate goal of restoring the individual's quality of life in the these areas.

What is an antigen/allergen?

An antigen or allergen is an allergy-causing substance. Examples include the following:  Dust, pollen, mold, insect venom and specific foods such as fish, wheat, corn and eggs.  (For our purposes, the terms allergen or antigen may be used interchangeably on this page.)

What is allergy testing?

If it is suspected that you are hypersensitive to an antigen/allergen (or perhaps several), your doctor may recommend that you undergo allergy testing.  In an effort to determine precisely which substnaces are causing the inflammatory responses in your system, the team that is assessing you will test these substances on your skin and perhaps even your blood.  They will do so using tiny amounts of commonly troublesome allergens.  It is an almost painless process today.  This process is designed for the purpose of gathering the most specific information possible so we can determine what is causing your allergies and determine the best course of treatment for you and your unique needs

What is sublingual immunotherapy?

Unlike most allergy drugs – which treat only symptoms – sublingual immunotherapy addresses the underlying causes of allergies.  The allergy drops are self-administered, carefully calibrated dose drops the patient delivers under the tongue three times a day, every day.   Allergy drops are administered in gradually increasing dosages until the patient develops a tolerance to the allergy-causing substance.

What kind of allergies can be treated with allergy drops?

The benefit of sublingual immunotherapy is that a broad range of allergies, including those caused by dust mites, pollen, mold, animals, foods and chemicals can be treated.  Moreover, allergies which cause mild symptoms and those which leave a patient suffering terribly can both be addressed by this type of treatment protocol because it can be tailored to the specific needs of each individual and his or her group of symptoms.

Is it safe and effective?

Allergy drops have been used around the world for more than 60 years, and many studies show that allergy drops are safe and effective as reported in more than 100 scientific articles in peer reviewed journals around the world. Dosing levels and the route of administration are safe enough to effectively treat infants, children, and people suffering from chronic conditions that previously made them unable to receive immunotherapy via shots.

In fact, the World Health Organization has endorsed sublingual immunotherapy as a viable alternative to injection therapy.

The well-respected Cochrane Collaboration, the world’s most-trusted international organization dedicated to reviewing healthcare treatments, recently concluded allergy drop immunotherapy significantly reduced allergy symptoms and use of allergy medications.

The safety profile for sublingual immunotherapy is superior to injection based on research studies and patient treatment experience. Systemic reactions occur 3x less with sublingual, and there has never been an anaphylactic reaction (life threatening) recorded over the 30+ years of sublingual treatment.

Compliance has not been studied extensively. However, one large managed-care organization did find 50% of patients receiving allergy shots dropped out of therapy during the first year. In looking at sublingual compliance among patients in many of the studies identified previously, approximately 90% of patients complete their treatment.

What are advantages of allergy drops?

Compared to traditional injection therapy, allergy drop treatment is more convenient, requires fewer clinic visits and costs less.  Most importantly allergy drops are a safe, effective treatment for young children, asthmatics, those with underlying medical conditions that prevent them from being candidates for injection therapy and others who will not tolerate shots.

One great advantage of allergy drop treatment is the convenience which comes with portability.  Safe and conveint to use wherever and whenever you need to, just three doses a day--every day--can put you on the road to freedom from suffering with allergy symptoms.  Another benefit is the increased overall wellness experienced by many patients once they start oral alergy drop treatment.  Fewer sick days, increased productivity at work and a fresh outlook through clear--not itchy!--eyes are benefits you may see at work.

Will my medical insurance cover the costs ?

Some insurance plans do cover the costs of allergy drops. However many do not, check with your carrier.

Can my child be treated?

Yes! Children from infancy on up can be treated with allergy drops. Because sublingual therapies use carefully measured frequent doses to treat allergic conditions effectively, they are able to treat children early on–enabling them to treat the root cause of the allergy before it develops into other related conditions.  Older children, with supervision, can be taught to administer their own drops.  Many parents are also relieved to know that this is one time that they do not have to fight the battle of getting their child to accept receiving an injection on a weekly basis.

Which allergies are treatable with sublingual immunotherapy?

Physicians have successfully treated a broad range of allergies.  These including those caused by dust, dust mites, pollen, mold, animals, insects, foods and chemicals.

What are the age parameters for patients?

All ages of allergy sufferers, from infants through the elderly, may benefit from sublingual immunotherapy. Medical research has shown that intervention early in life may reduce the risk of asthma and serious allergies.

What are the advantages of sublingual treatment?

Allergies which do not benefit from injection therapy — specifically those involving molds and foods — may be treated with SLIT. Patient populations who are not candidates for injection therapy — highly reactive, children, asthmatic and those who have failed injection therapy — may also benefit from SLIT. In addition, compared to injection therapy, it is less costly, and it requires fewer physician visits.

What is the typical course of treatment?

Typically, patients self-administer drops three times daily. The length of treatment is about the same as with injection therapy: three to five years.

Is there proof that it’s safe and effective?

Clinical experience with SLIT spans more than 60 years. In other parts of the world, especially in Europe, sublingual treatment has become increasingly commonplace. In 1998, the World Health Organization referred to it as a "viable alternative" to injection therapy. Favorable results with more than 50 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals (see research).

Are the allergy drops homeopathic?

(Note: Homeopathic here references the use of minute amounts of an allergen in drops.)

No. The antigen doses are much higher. For single antigen therapy doses range from the same as injection to 200x injection. In fact, the same extracts used in injection therapy are used for SLIT.

Are medications used in conjunction with the antigens?

While no medications are added to the drops, they may be prescribed as a symptom-relieving adjunct. However, as the underlying causes of a person’s allergies are addressed, the need for medication usually decreases.   For example, medications such as non-sedating antihistamines might be used "short term" to alleviate symptoms while your system acclimates to your new "long term" SLIT allergy treatment program.

Why isn’t sublingual immunotherapy commonly used by allergists in the U.S.?

Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming evidence supporting sublingual treatment there continues to be prejudice against SLIT in the U.S. The political pressure is considerable. However, SLIT’s expanding use in Europe has sparked interest in the leadership of the professional allergy associations here in the U.S.

If you would like to make an appointment to be evaluated for allergy drop therapy please call the MaxWell Clinic at  US +1 9316489595 Call today.