To learn more about sublingual allergy drops and other allergy treatment products, contact our practice serving Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pottstown and Bryn Mawr.
826 Main Street
Suite 201
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
Tel: 610-415-1100
Fax: 610-415-1101
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1201 County Line Road
Suite 101
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
Tel: 610-520-0900
Fax: 610-520-0920
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
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5 South Sunnybrook Road
Suite 300
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
Tel: 610-326-3600
Fax: 610-326-4466
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255 Gordon Drive
Suite 101
Lionville, PA 19341
Tel: 610-524-5300
Fax: 610-524-0100
Click map for location and directionsAllergy Treatment and Sublingual Allergy Drops — Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pottstown
As the fifth-leading chronic disease in the United States, nasal allergies of some kind affect more than 50 million people. These allergies, while usually not life-threatening, can be bothersome and result in lost school or work days, decreased work efficiency, and more. However, patients can find relief from problematic allergies at Broker, Cramer & Swanson; Ear, Nose & Throat. Our otolaryngologists offer a variety of allergy and sinus treatment medicines, including sublingual allergy drops, to patients from Philadelphia, Pottstown, Phoenixville, and everywhere in between.
Nasal Allergies
Nasal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, occur when a substance that the immune system recognizes as an invader enters the body. These substances are known as allergens. Allergens cause the immune system to produce a series of reactions in the body in an effort to eliminate them. The immune system begins to destroy tissue, dilate blood vessels, and produce histamine and other substances while it tries to attack the allergen. But histamine produces other reactions as well, such as itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, hives, a scratchy throat, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, headaches, irritated skin, imbalance and dizziness, and other allergy symptoms.
Common Allergens
Some allergens are more common than others and are present in our everyday lives. Pollen is the most common allergen in the United States. Ragweed, grass, trees, flowers, and other plants produce pollen year round that is blown in the air. When it becomes airborne, it can become caught in the eyes, nose, mouth, and other places, producing problematic allergy symptoms. People who suffer from these types of allergens are said to have seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Other common allergens come from household sources. These include pet dander, dust, foods, and chemicals. Reactions to household allergens are much worse in the wintertime, when houses usually remain closed up with little to no ventilation. Mold is another common allergen that is present all year long both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores in plants, bathrooms, and other damp areas, as well as in foods like cheese, can produce an allergic reaction when an individual comes into contact with them. Perennial allergic rhinitis sufferers are allergic to these common household allergens.
Other common allergens include feathers, environmental pollutants such as smoke, and certain drugs and medications such as penicillin. People who experience allergic reactions to these types of allergens need to be evaluated and treated on a case-by-case basis.
Fortunately, our practice recommends a number of allergy treatment medications, including sublingual allergy drops, at our Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Philadelphia practices that can help alleviate some of the symptoms that allergy sufferers experience. There are also a number of tips that can help people reduce their exposure to common allergens.
Tips for Reducing Allergy Exposure
For some people, allergies are seasonal, but for others, they are a year-round annoyance. In any case, allergy problems can be reduced by avoiding the allergen responsible. An otolaryngologist can determine the specific allergen that is causing problematic symptoms and may recommend allergy treatment medication or other tips in order to reduce the symptoms of allergies.
Some tips for reducing exposure to common allergens include:
- Clean or change the air filters in air purifiers, conditioners, and heater systems frequently.
- Keep doors and windows closed during pollen seasons.
- Wear a pollen mask while doing house or yard work.
- Keep the inside of the house clean and dust-free.
- Use over-the-counter allergy treatment medications such as antihistamines and decongestants when needed.
- Use cotton and synthetic bedding instead of feather pillows and wool blankets.
- Put mattresses and pillows in allergy-barrier cloths.
- Use a humidifier in the winter.
- Keep cats, dogs, and other dander-producing pets out of the house or bedrooms.
- Stay away from smoke and other air pollutants.
- Talk to your physician about your allergy symptoms so that he or she can find an effective treatment for you.
Nasal Allergy Treatment
We offer sublingual allergy drops and a variety of other allergy treatment medications at our Philadelphia practice near Phoenixville and Pottstown. Our medications help relieve nasal and sinus symptoms and alleviate chest congestion associated with allergies, upper respiratory infections, and other nasal conditions.
Sublingual Allergy Drops
A revolutionary tool for delivering allergy treatment, the sublingual allergy drops offered at our Philadelphia, Pottstown, and Phoenixville-area practice are similar to allergy shots in their effects but are dropped beneath the tongue rather than being injected, providing a safe, convenient, and effective alternative to allergy injections and making it easier for patients of all ages to find relief from their allergy symptoms.
Like traditional allergy shots, sublingual allergy drops are comprised of antigens that help the body to build tolerance to the substances that trigger allergies over time. The drops, which are individually created for each patient based on a thorough allergy assessment, are administered once a day for a period of three to five years. Noticeable improvement in allergies should be experienced within six to twelve months of beginning treatment.
The benefits offered by sublingual allergy drops are substantial. Unlike traditional allergy shots, which require frequent, inconvenient trips to the doctor's office and painful injections, sublingual drops are administered at home, on your own schedule, and are pain-free. Like allergy shots, the treatment plan is tailored to each individual patient and although the results are not immediate, long-term, meaningful relief is experienced over time.
Administration of sublingual allergy drops is simple. A few drops are placed under the tongue and held for a short time before being spit out or swallowed. The slightly sweet taste makes taking sublingual allergy drops a pleasant experience, even for children.
Sublingual allergy drops are effective for the treatment of allergic reactions to such common irritants as mold, pets, dust, and pollen. They cannot, however, be used to address food allergies, adverse reactions to insect bites, or allergies that cause skin rashes.
Sublingual allergy drops have yet to be approved in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. However, they use exactly the same active ingredients as FDA-approved allergy shots and clinical trials are currently underway to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. In the meantime, sublingual allergy drops, which have been used in Europe for many years and have never been associated with any type of severe adverse reaction, are offered as an off-label medication. Contact our ear, nose, and throat practice to learn more about using sublingual allergy drops as an alternative treatment option.
| Allergy Drops | Immunotherapy Shots |
Total costs |
Yearly costs are increasing depending on individual co-pays
|
| Co-pay amount | Visits per year cost | Yearly |
| 25 | 50 | $1250 |
| 35 | 50 | $1750 |
| 40 | 50 | $2000 |
We Specialize in Allergy Treatment
Our ear, nose, and throat doctors provide the latest in allergy treatment, including sublingual allergy drops, to Philadelphia, Phoenixville, and Pottstown patients. Contact our practice today to schedule an appointment.