Pollen Immunotherapy (SLIT)

Pollen Immunotherapy

If your/your child’s previous summer seasons were troublesome, with insufficient relief offered by front line medicines such as non-sedating antihistamines and nasal sprays, then please consider commencing immunotherapy (also called SLIT - Sub-Lingual Immunotherapy).

Pollen immunotherapy, is a type of treatment for hay fever (allergic rhinitis) that involves gradually increasing exposure to specific aero-allergens, such as pollen, in order to build tolerance over time.

SLIT therapy can reduce hayfever symptoms and the need for medication, and is typically recommended for those with moderate to severe allergies who have not had success with other treatments.

In some patients, immunotherapy can also help reduce Oral Allergy Syndrome symptoms and may delay the onset of allergic asthma symptoms in children.

Pollen Immunotherapy has come a long way since it was first discovered.

We make use of state of the art products, these are usually tablets, placed under the tongue until dissolved. The products we use have been tested in multiple clinical trials involving more than 20,000 people and have the largest evidence-base of any form of AIT treatment.

SLIT is taken daily, the duration of therapy is typically for three years.

Children older than 6 years of age are usually able to cope with allowing a tasteless tablet to dissolve under their tongue before swallowing each day.

Immunotherapy can also be used to moderate house dust mite or mould allergies.

In my experience, immunotherapy works less well against animal danders due to the complexity of the allergens.