Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy
Allergy testing is performed on-site using the skin prick method. Patients should be off all oral histamines 3 days before testing. The test itself takes less than a minute; prepare to be in the office for approximately 30 minutes to interpret the results and review them with you.
In most cases, patients can undergo immunotherapy using Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT), a safe and effective method of immunotherapy self-administered at home.
Prescription immunotherapy is the newest allergy treatment option that targets dust mites (Odactra), grasses (Grastek), and ragweed (Ragwitek). Therapy is administered as a once-daily oral melt; significant improvement in allergy symptoms typically starts within 8 weeks of treatment with maximum results seen at 6 months.
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is also an option for patients who have failed SLIT or have difficulty remembering to take their drops regularly. Injections are given weekly or bi-weekly in our office or curbside; no appointment is required.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) involves self-administration of daily drops of dilute amounts of antigens under your tongue and is just as effective as allergy shots.
How do allergy drops work?
Phase 1: Initial oral tolerance, 0 -3 months. Your body adjusts to treatment and symptoms can improve. You may experience minor mouth itching, but this will decrease as tolerance improves
Phase 2: Symptom relief, 3 months - 2 years. As symptoms decrease, your body takes steps toward changing your allergen tolerance. You might feel tempted to stop your treatment because you feel better, but don’t! By continuing treatment, your body learns long-term tolerance.
Phase 3: Long-term tolerance, 2 -5 years. As symptoms improve, your body increases its allergen tolerance. This long-term learning is needed to stay symptom-free after treatment.
The current price for a 3-month supply of allergy drops is $119. Payment is to Allergy Choices, who will ship the drops directly to you.
Diet-Induced Inflammation
Diet has become a well-recognized source of inflammation in our body, and until recently, diagnosis was limited to poorly validated blood tests measuring IgE and IgG responses to foods. The most reliable and complete test to measure food sensitivities is the Mediator Release Test which quantifies the inflammatory response to 170 different foods and food chemicals (sample report.) The test by itself costs $395.00, requires a blood draw in our office and results are back in 7 - 10 days. We recommend a follow-up consultation with a certified dietician who will review your results and come up with a customized plan to rid your body of inflammation. Unlike food allergies, food sensitivities are temporary and after several months, the body can tolerate the offending foods once again.