If you’ve been thinking that each allergy season seems to be worse than the last, you are not alone. The intensity and duration of allergy season, as well as the numbers of people affected by seasonal allergies, is increasing around the world, according to research studies.

Allergies are not a minor concern because they greatly diminish the quality of your life. Last year, my allergies prevented me from enjoying many of the activities I love from March through November. That’s a big chunk of the year.

I knew that if I didn’t do something different this year would probably be the same or possibly worse. That’s when I began investigating sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). It’s an alternative for allergy sufferers who cannot or do not want to take allergy shots.

In a nutshell, SLIT is a type of immunotherapy that treats allergies by administering small doses of the substances the patient is allergic to in gradually increasing dosages until the patient builds immunity to them. Allergy shots or injections were the main method of immunotherapy in the past. Now, an allergy sufferer has the option of choosing sublingual immunotherapy where drops are placed under the tongue.

I opted for SLIT because it is more convenient with no travel or waiting in a doctor’s office. Sublingual drops can be administered at home in contrast to allergy shots that require a weekly trip to the doctor’s office, sometimes for years, where the patient is monitored for possible adverse reactions for 30 minutes following the injection.

SLIT testing

Last week, I went for SLIT testing. It’s the same as testing for allergy shots. I was given numerous pricks in my back of the common grasses, trees and weeds in my area. I also was tested for dogs and cats, as I have these pets. I opted not to be tested for molds and foods although these were available.

It was no surprise to me when my back began to itch almost immediately after being pricked with grass pollens. Those were my worst reactions but I also tested positive for some trees and especially for sagebrush.

My reaction to the grasses helped explain why my allergies are bad most of the allergy season as various types of grasses can be active throughout the spring and summer.

Now that I have been tested, what’s next? I will receive my allergy drops in about seven days at my next appointment. The staff at the allergy clinic will instruct me in how to use the drops and what to expect.
I am not expecting miracles with SLIT but I am hopeful that over time my allergy symptoms will be lessened. Next article I will report on how my new therapy is going.