How to Treat Your Allergies Without The Shots

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The following content is created in consultation with Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM. It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC Philadelphia's editorial staff. To learn more about Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM, click here.

We all love spring. The seasonal allergies, however, we could do without.

Sadly, 'tis the season for the latter. With trees, grasses and weeds releasing pollen, many Americans — over 50 million, in fact — are forced to deal with runny noses, itchy, watery eyes, congestion and constant sneezing. Things can get even worse for those of us suffering with asthma as allergens in the air can trigger frequent attacks.

Thankfully, Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM is here to help combat spring allergies and improve your life or the life of a loved one.

With Sublingual Immunotherapy (or SLIT), the allergists of Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM provide an injection-free procedure that allows patients the freedom to treat their allergies on their schedules in their own homes.

So how does it work? SLIT is a unique process (few allergists in the U.S offer it) that reduces a person’s reactivity to an allergen. A dosage of the extract is placed under the patient’s tongue, held there for two minutes, and then swallowed. Over time, the dose is gradually increased. This gradual introduction of allergens helps your immune system to build up your own natural immunity, safely and effectively, making you less allergic. 

Both convenient and comfortable, SLIT offers patients long-term relief that’s also safe.

“It has advantages over injections in that it’s safer,” says Dr. Stanley Forman, a Senior Physician and Director with Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM. “Literally millions of doses have been administered and we’ve never had an anaphylactic reaction.”

Not only do patients love the convenience of the procedure, but so do parents used to taking their children to the E.R. following an asthma attack or waiting in a doctor’s office while their little ones get allergy shots.

Stephanie Jeitner is one such parent, a working mom whose three children all suffered from allergies and asthma. After seeing the success of the treatment with her oldest daughter, she soon put her son on SLIT as well.

“It’s scary as a parent taking your child to the E.R. because of an asthma attack,” Stephanie recounts. “And I don’t miss the allergy shots or waiting the half hour to make sure there is no reaction.”

All three of Stephanie’s children responded well to SLIT. After three years of treatment, they now have their allergies completely under control.

Another factor that’s made Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM extraordinary is their customizable approach to SLIT. Unlike other physicians that order stock allergy extracts from an outside company for their patients, all extracts personally prescribed for patients of Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM are produced in-house under the supervision of the allergists and guidelines according to the United States Pharmaceutical rule 797 for sterile compounding.

While shots remain the mainstay of allergy treatments, SLIT is a unique and convenient procedure allowing patients to get their allergies under control. It’s also far more effective than antihistamines and decongestants, which only treat symptoms rather than the diagnosis.

To see how SLIT can improve your life or the life of a loved one, visit Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM at AllergyandAsthmaWellness.com.