In the past 80 years, allergists around the world have been treating patients who have been suffering from allergies and asthma by allergy shots or immunotherapy. This method of therapy is a type of vaccination. The substance that a person is allergic to is modified and injected under the skin, so that the body becomes resistant to that allergen (offending allergic item), therefore, upon exposure to that specific allergen, allergic symptoms will not bother the individual anymore. For example, if a patient is allergic to cat, dog, dust mite, trees, or grass pollen, giving him/her the same modified allergen he/she will become resistant to these substances. Allergy shots or immunotherapy is very effective and safe, only if the test is done properly and the serum (vaccine) formula is appropriately administered under the care of an expert or qualified allergist. However, this method of therapy is sometimes performed by non-qualified physicians and therefore, the results may be unsuccessful and at times dangerous. As an alternative to allergy injections, recently in Europe, allergists have been treating allergies by oral route (under the tongue). This sublingual method has been fairly successful and seems to be attractive, due to being painless and convenient. However, at the present time the outcome is questionable for the following reasons:
1. Sublingual or under the tongue immunotherapy has not yet been approved in the United States.
2. Insurances have not recognized this procedure as an approved method and therefore, they will not compensate, and patients must take responsibility of this expensive treatment.
3. This method so far has shown efficacy only for one substance at a time, and usually allergic patients have multiple allergies, and not only one.
4. The amount of allergen by the sublingual method must be 350 to 750 times stronger than the amount that is used by injection, otherwise the therapy would be ineffective.
5. The question is, do the children or adults prefer to tolerate almost painless minor injections or the taste of dust mites or cat drops under their tongue?
In conclusion, we believe, at this time allergy immunotherapy by subcutaneous injection is more effective, conventional, safe, and covered by most insurances and FDA approved. Of course, as I mentioned above this treatment must be done under the care of a specialist.
However, I believe that in the future, after resolving the deficiencies, the sublingual (under the tongue) method will be a good addition to the treatment of allergic disease.
For further questions and information call Valencia Allergy & Asthma Center at 661-259-6996. One of our friendly staff members will be glad to assist you.