Allergy Immunotherapy: SLIT or SCIT SCIT

SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy) injection of allergens has been practiced for almost 100 years. SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy) is a method of allergy treatment using allergen solution as drops deposited under the tongue and holding it there for a few minutes before swallowing. Since 1969 SLIT was used for treating foods allergy and since 1970 for treating inhalants allergens. In 1998 the World Health Organization concluded that SLIT was a viable alternative to the injections. After numerous control trials SLIT is gaining support from Allergists and Otolaryngologists. ...
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Allergy Immunotherapy: SLIT or SCIT SCIT Allergy Immunotherapy: SLIT or SCIT SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy) injection of allergens has beenpracticed for almost 100 years. SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy) is a method of allergy treatmentusing allergen solution as drops deposited under the tongue and holding itthere for a few minutes before swallowing. Since 1969 SLIT was used for treating foods allergy and since 1970for treating inhalants allergens. In 1998 the World Health Organization concluded that SLIT was aviable alternative to the injections. After numerous control trials SLIT is gaining support from Allergistsand Otolaryngologists. SLIT worked differently than SCIT: once the antigens are placedunder the tongue, dentritic cells take up the antigens, migrate to cervicallymphatic nodes and have an effect on T-regulatory cells, which then cause asystemic response. SLIT had a very good safety tract, is given at home to adults andchildren: - Allergic Food sensitivities and Asthma in young children. - Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma in older children and Adults. Patients can be treated with a large number of antigens using drops(SLIT) compared to the shots (SCIT). With (SLIT) there are so few reactions that up to 20 antigens can bemixed in a single bottle. ACAA: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology _ SLIT may be beneficial for Adults with mild Allergic Rhinitiscaused by grass and trees. - SCIT was better than SLIT for perennial Allergic Rhinitis due tohouse dust and mites. SLIT is administered at home with no direct supervision, thephysician will need to provide specific instructions to patients how tomanage adverse reactions, unplanned treatment interruptions, dosingadjustments. SLIT desensitizes you to your own allergies, over time, this shiftsyour immune system to tolerate instead of react allergically to pollen,dander, dust, mites and molds. Drops contain the same antigens as shots. Dosage will be graduallyincreased as your treatment progresses. SLIT can be given before a pollen season, during a pollen season,both or year round. SLIT doesn’t hurt. Allergy sufferers, especially children are afraid ofshots, they dont like needles. Patients visit the Dr. only 2-3 times per year for drop strengthadjustment vs. weekly or monthly for 3-5 years when using SCIT. 95-97% of patients stay on therapy for SLIT vs. 50 % of patients onSCIT stop the therapy too soon. _Unlike shots, dops are safe for children under 6y, the age whenallergy immunotherapy can be most effective at preventing asthma and newallergies. Allerdrops are safe, even for pregnant women. SLIT is safer, no anaphylactic or life threatening side effects haveever been reported. Around 1986 injections for allergy immunotherapy were practicallybanned in England because of some deaths were linked to the therapy. Thelaw requested the injections to be done in a hospital. Shots caused serious reactions in about 5%: generalized urticaria,severe pruritus, anaphylactic reaction with airway edema. _ Side Effects in SLIT are usually benign and very rare: 1/12000doses. * itchy mouth. * lip, mouth, tongue, irritation. * nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. * sneezing, nasal congestion. * asthma symptoms. * urticaria, angioedema. At the present time SLIT is widely used in England, Europe and SouthAmerica. In the USA, most Allergists and Otolaryngologists still give allergyshots, U.S. may be several years away from a significant acceptance ofSLIT. For a list of Drs who use SLIT visit: www.allergy choices.com/finddoct Tra T. Nguyen