AllerAlt Allergy Testing FAQ
SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) involves the simple process of placing a few drops (allergy drops) of low doses of harmless allergenic extracts under your tongue where they are absorbed by tiny capillaries. The allergens then attach to dendritic cells, which in turn affect your TH2 cells in the same manner as allergy shots thereby reducing and/or eliminating allergies and their related symptoms such as stuffy nose, watery itchy eyes, sinus congestion, etc.
You will be taking the AllerAlt All Inclusive allergy drops for approximately 3 years. If you are unable to complete the treatment, the allergen resistance will last a few weeks or so after the treatment is discontinued. You can restart the treatment at any time, but if a month has passed since your last allergy drops you will more than likely be advised to restart with the initial phase of the program.
No. Any one can take or be given the allergy drops. There have been patients from 2 years old to 80 that have responded to the allergy drops. In the case of small children it has also been documented that there is a rare opportunity with young children to actually stop the well-known progression of allergies into asthma. In Europe where SLIT has been used for over 60 years it is actually recommended that children be placed on SLIT.
In terms of the AllerAlt All Inclusive allergy testing; younger children will be tested for fewer antigens than older children or adults, The test is safe for all ages.
Notify your doctor prior to the test date if you take blood pressure medications (Beta Blockers). If you are using beta blockers at the time of testing, your provider may perform a blood test instead of a skin test.
Inform your doctor prior to the test date if there is a chance that you may be pregnant so that he or she can test for pregnancy before the skin test. If you are pregnant, you will be given a blood test instead of the skin test.
Do not take any antihistamines (Allergy Medications, Cold syrup, etc) for three days before testing. If this is not possible, discuss the options with your doctor such that you can take the allergy test as scheduled.
Refrain from exercise for two hours immediately prior to your test and plan to avoid exercise or strenuous activity for two hours afterward.
Tell your provider if you are experiencing any signs of a severe allergic reaction on the day of testing (e.g. hives or difficulty breathing).