Layton, Utah, US, 10/19/2015 /SubmitPressRelease123/
Warm, dry areas of the Southwest such as Vegas, Albuquerque, Phoenix and El Paso used to be touted as havens for allergy sufferers. Now, they are often cited among the most allergy-prone U.S. cities, sullied by nonnative plants imported by newcomers bent on turning the desert into an oasis. An Arizona clinic offers help, though, in the form of a no-pain, no-hassle alternative to allergy shots known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).
Like allergy shots, SLIT introduces the body to extracts of common allergens, slowly desensitizing the immune system to allergens in the environment so that it will stop overreacting to them in ways that lead to symptoms. With SLIT, however, the allergens (suspended in a saline solution) are dispensed under the tongue rather than injected into the skin. The liquid drops then absorb into the bloodstream through special cells in the oral mucosa (lining of the mouth).
Dr. Stuart Agren, Medical Director of the Family Allergy Clinic, began prescribing SLIT at his clinic near Phoenix when he found his patients were struggling to comply with the demands of allergy shots.
“Shots are a really big time commitment, and I found that most of my patients didn’t have time to come to my office for injections a couple times a week,” said Dr. Agren.
With the inconsistency, patients’ progress lagged. That’s when Dr. Agren began exploring SLIT. Because SLIT has a higher safety profile, patients can take their allergy serum at home rather than at the doctor’s office.
Dr. Agren said his patients’ compliance rates are far higher with the drops.
“Patients can keep the drops on their bed stand or on the bathroom counter, squeeze them under their tongue once a day, and be done with it,” said Dr. Agren.
The drops protect against dozens of he most prevalent allergens, but Dr. Agren said that the main culprits in the Southwest include ragweed, olive and mulberry trees, and Johnson and Bermuda grass.
Agren said that another advantage of SLIT is that it works for younger children.
“Most physicians won’t prescribe shots until kids are 7 or 8, but there are a lot of really miserable toddlers out there,” said Dr. Agren. “The drops have been found to be safe for children under 5, so we can start treatment rather than putting kids off for years while they suffer.”
The drops can also be used to treat food allergies—something shots cannot safely accomplish. The Family Allergy Clinic treats for nearly 60 food items including eggs, milk, wheat, soy, rice, and fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Agren said that most people know allergies cause hay fever, but they can cause many more problems including asthma, eczema, hives, sinus problems, chronic ear infections, headaches, and fatigue. Food allergies can also cause gastrointestinal distress.
Agren said he believes sublingual drops are the wave of the future.
“The talk at the major medical conferences is shifting toward sublingual administration,” said Dr. Agren. “Allergies and asthma just keep getting worse and people just keep getting busier. It works. It’s easy. We’ll be seeing more and more of it.”
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