Allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitization, is a medical treatment for allergies such as nasal allergy, asthma, food allergies and insect bites with severe reactions. Immunotherapy involves administering gradually increasing doses of the allergen (substance to which the child is allergic). The slowly increasing doses of the allergen causes the immune system to become less sensitive to the allergen. Immunotherapy leads to reduction in the severity of the disease and hence less need for medicines. In some children with immunotherapy the disease gets cured and the child gets totally off medicines.
How does Allergen Immunotherapy works?
- Immunotherapy works like a vaccine. The body is given small amount of a particular allergen in increasing doses.
- Immunotherapy leads to tolerance or reduced sensitivity to the allergen. This leads to reduction in symptoms of the child.
- The allergy symptom relief can last for many years after the immunotherapy is stopped.
What is sublingual Immunotherapy?
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) or desensitisation is a treatment given under the tongue with the allergen your child is allergic to, in order to promote and improve child’s body tolerance of that specific allergen. This can be either in the form of a dispersible tablet or drops.
What are the Benefits of Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?
Immunotherapy aims to improve symptoms in relation to your child’s allergy. This should lead to improvement in asthma control with less flare up’s (or attacks), less use of oral steroids, better lung function and reduction in the asthma medicines. This also leads to better control of nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis [sneezing, nasal block, running nose and itching] and significant reduction in the medications used.
In many children with Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) medicines can be stopped slowly but individual variations in responses are seen in children. Children may not need medicines later. This would help to improve the quality of life.
Preparing for Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) is given in the form of either a dissolvable tablet or liquid drops which are placed under the tongue and held there for at least two minutes. This should be done daily. Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) can easily be given at home.
How will the Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) drops be administered?
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) allergen extract is provided in convenient amber-glass bottles with a dropper mechanism that allows easy dosing under the tongue. Dosing should be done in the morning. Drops are placed under the tongue and held there for two minutes, then swallowed. After that, there are no restrictions for eating or drinking. In addition, there are no restrictions on eating or drinking prior to taking the drops.
How often are the Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) drops need to be taken?
The drops are taken once a day, every day.
What are the risks of Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) often leads to local reactions like mouth itching, swelling under the tongue and irritation of the throat. These can easily be controlled with anti-histamines. Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) does not usually lead to any serious reactions. For safety, all treatment is commenced in hospital under our supervision. The child is monitored for at least 30 minutes after the first dose.
What about the other medication?
The current medication like inhalers, nasal spray etc. would be continued with Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT). The medication are gradually reduced over time and might be stopped depending on the response of SLIT.
How quickly will I see relief of my child’s allergy symptoms after Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?
Although treatment success varies from patient to patient, we anticipate improvement within the first few months. Maximum benefit may not be noted until one year of therapy has been completed. Adjustments to your dosing may be made.
How long will the Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) treatment last?
The duration of Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) is for a period of three year and treatment should be taken daily throughout this period without any breaks. If there is a break in treatment for any reason this should be discussed with us.
How is the Follow-up done for children on Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?
By accepting and starting this treatment you should commit to the three year period, attending for your follow appointments in clinic every 2-3 months. This would help us follow up the child and evaluate the progress with treatment, side effects and tolerability.
