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Allergy Department
Many common and recurring ear, nose and throat symptoms are caused by allergies and are often misdiagnosed. These include recurrent nasal and ear symptoms, sinusitis, postnasal drainage, coughing and hoarseness. Northwest ENT & Allergy Center provides complete allergy testing and treatment. Our Otolaryngic Allergists are trained, and have extensive experience, in the medical treatment of allergies.
Allergy Diagnosis
During your initial visit, your physician will carefully review your health history and current symptoms as well as your family’s health history. Routine skin testing is generally used to diagnose your allergy symptoms so your doctor can provide the most effective form of treatment. In certain cases a routine blood test can be used instead of skin testing. In order to confirm your doctor’s initial diagnosis, more extensive skin tests must be scheduled.
Allergy Treatment
Avoidance
Once your allergy has been diagnosed and you are aware of the environmental cause of your symptoms, one course of action is to avoid the allergen. However that is not always possible.
Medication
Several types of over-the-counter or prescription medications may be prescribed to control your allergy symptoms. Our Otolaryngic Allergists are experts at determining the best medication(s) for you. Allergy medications can be very effective in controlling symptoms but do not cure the allergic reaction. Allergy symptoms can only be prevented by changing your immune system’s response to the problem allergen. There are a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications that may be prescribed by your doctor to relieve your allergy symptoms. These may include antihistamines, decongestants, prescription nasal sprays, leukotriene inhibitors and more.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy builds up blocking antibodies by repeated exposure of allergens, reducing your allergic response and possibly eliminating the allergy altogether. When allergen avoidance and medications do not successfully control your allergy symptoms, your Otolaryngic Allergist may recommend immunotherapy. Through shots or oral drops, your doctor can change your body’s response to the problem allergen over time. Immunotherapy can improve or eliminate symptoms, as well as reduce or eliminate the need for medications and future treatment. New allergy drops can save you time and money. Research shows that the use of allergy drops builds up the same response as traditional allergy shots without the need for injections or frequent office visits.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (Allergy Drops) Patient Information
While the symptoms of allergic rhinitis may be reduced by avoiding the triggering allergen and/or anti allergy medication(s), the only known cure of allergic rhinitis is immunotherapy. Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy or SCIT) have proven to be effective and remain standard treatment at our practice and throughout the country.
An alternate method of immunotherapy (sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT) works by placing allergy drops under the tongue once a day. Multiple studies have proven this method to be effective with results similar to standard injections. In fact, SLIT is now more common in Europe than injections.
Both methods are based on the same principle: controlled exposure to extracts over time changes the immune response, effectively creating blocking antibodies and reducing or eliminating allergic symptoms.
Northwest ENT is now offering sublingual immunotherapy as an alternative treatment for those patients whom immunotherapy is recommended but are unable to tolerate or complete a regular injection schedule.
Allergy drops are taken on a daily basis, placed under the tongue and absorbed. The dosage is increased over a 3-month period to reach full strength. Most patients will begin to experience significant reduction in symptoms within one year although three years of treatment is recommended to obtain maximal benefit. Side effects are unusual and mild, usually irritation under the tongue that requires no treatment. No serious side effect such as anaphylaxis has been reported. An office visit every 3-6 months during treatment is recommended.
Although studies are currently being done through our office and other centers in the country, SLIT is not yet an FDA approved treatment method. Insurance will cover office visits and allergy testing but will not cover the cost of the allergy drops. Our supplier, ALK-Abello, has extensive experience as a worldwide producer of both injectable and sublingual extracts. We are now able to provide customized allergy drops based on patient specific testing at a cost of $10 - $20 per week.
Please contact our office at 770-427-0368 for any additional information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.
Your Otolaryngic Allergist will discuss all available treatment options and recommend the best one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should treat my allergies?
Otolaryngic Allergists are best qualified to diagnosis and treat ear, nose and throat symptoms. Allergies are a common cause of symptoms they see every day. Your Otolaryngic Allergist can also provide a broader range of health care solutions including medical and surgical treatments.
What Are Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops are a new and more convient form of immunotherapy. Patients are prescribed allergy drops they take outside of the doctor's office. Using allergy drops saves patient's time and money because a weekly appointment is not necessary. Talk to your Otolaryngic Allergist to find out if this is a right course of treatment for you.
cure of allergic rhinitis is immunotherapy. Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy or SCIT) have proven to be effective and remain standard treatment at our practice and throughout the country.
