Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) is a method of allergy treatment that uses an allergen solution given under the tongue, which over the course of treatment reduces sensitivity to those allergens. Sublingual immunotherapy has an excellent safety profile and is given at home for the treatment of many types of environmental allergies in both adults and children. This type of immunotherapy differs from ‘allergy shots’ or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in that there is significant reduction in the risk of anaphylaxis that accompanies SCIT.
The basis of sublingual immunotherapy is treatment of the underlying allergic sensitivity. Sublingual immunotherapy is prescribed as liquid drops containing a specific allergen placed under the tongue on a daily basis, which interacts with the immune system to decrease allergic sensitivity. Sublingual immunotherapy takes advantage of our immune system’s innate ability to develop immunologic tolerance to non-pathogenic allergens such as those found in pollens, dust, and pet dander. The allergen persists on the mucosal surface of the tongue and interacts with special immune cells called T-cells. Over time, and with repeated exposure, the T-cells modulate the allergic response by creating immune tolerance to the allergens being treated for. Allergic symptoms (such as eczema, itchy eyes, nose and throat, etc.) resolve as the underlying allergic sensitivity diminishes.
As a safe and effective method of treating the underlying cause of allergies, sublingual immunotherapy is capable of modifying the natural progression of allergic disease, which can begin with allergic food sensitivities, asthma, and eczema in young children and progress through allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, seasonal allergies, chronic sinusitis and bronchitis in adults.
A recent study, published in Allergy (2007: 62: 943–948), showed that a 3-year course of immunotherapy had long-term clinical effects, by significantly reducing the development of asthma in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis up to 7 years after treatment. In a meta-analysis review of all studies on SLIT by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, (2007: 6: 1466-1468), 35% of studies resulted in significant reductions in medications and symptom scores.
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