​Allergy immunotherapy you can do at home

With review and feedback from CEENTA ENT doctor Gregory Parsons, MD (Lancaster, Rock Hill)

Patients with severe allergies have been delighted with the relief they get from immunotherapy. Our in-office immunotherapy is convenient, with multiple offices and extended hours. However, if someone is looking for an even more opportune alternative, then at-home immunotherapy could fit the bill.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a process where you receive regular treatments to help alter your immune response to a particular allergen and increase your tolerance to the allergen in question. This usually results in less symptoms and medicines. Also, you might see continued benefits even after treatment has stopped. Immunotherapy come in shots, drops, and tablets.

Allergy shots

Allergy shots are injections used to treat allergies such as pollen, mold, pet dander and dust mites. Allergy shot treatment takes place in two phases: buildup and maintenance. The buildup phase, which must be performed in the office, is when your immune system gets used to increasing amounts of allergen in your system. The maintenance phase, in which you continue to get regular doses of the same allergen level, can be done at home if you don’t have severe asthma or a history of anaphylaxis.

Allergy drops

Allergy drops treat the same types of allergies that shots do, except for mold and cockroaches. They are made from the same material as allergy shots, but are administered daily instead of once weekly. Because of the convenience, many patients find it easier to take allergy drops at home after they take their first dose in the office, CEENTA allergy specialist Gregory Parsons, MD, said.

Allergy tablets

Allergy tablets are dissolvable medications used to treat allergies to dust mites, grass pollen, and ragweed pollen. No buildup is required, and only the first dose needs to be administered in the office. You can read more about allergy tablets in this blog.

Immunotherapy with CEENTA

If your allergies are so severe that other medicines don’t work, discuss immunotherapy with a CEENTA doctor. They can help you build up your body’s resistance to your allergens from the comfort of your own home.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. You can now schedule an appointment online with Dr. Parsons or any of our more than 40 ENT doctors in North and South Carolina. You can also schedule through myCEENTAchart or by calling 704-295-3000.