Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a treatment that uses a tablet or a custom fluid placed under the tongue to desensitize your immune system’s response to known allergens. The tissues under your tongue, also known as the sublingual area, rapidly absorb the allergens directly into your bloodstream. SLIT works by exposing your immune system to controlled amounts of your allergens. Over time, the immune system learns to not react to the allergens. As a result, your symptoms improve or completely go away.
SLIT can be used to treat allergies to dust mites, pollens, pets, and even food thanks to the world-renowned food allergy specialist, Dr. Jain’s, food allergy protocols! The exceptional providers at Columbia Allergy use Dr. Jain’s methods to effectively treat multiple food allergies or environmental allergies at the same time.
The Columbia Allergy team starts the patient with a very small amount of the food or environmental allergen in the office, and gradually increases the amount of allergen each time. The visit is closely monitored by our exceptional medical staff to ensure the patient’s safety throughout the process. At the end of each visit, you will be given instructions to continue to take a safe dose every day until your next appointment. This ongoing exposure to the allergen helps your immune system to stop seeing the food as a threat and to stop triggering a significant allergic reaction every time you are exposed to the allergen(s).
The food allergy experts at Columbia Allergy will use allergy tests, the patient’s history, and food challenges to determine if SLIT is right for you. If you are interested in our sublingual immunotherapy treatment, call your nearest location or schedule an appointment online today!
