What is sublingual immunotherapy?
In treating hay fever and allergic rhinitis, the common approach is to suppress symptoms like runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing using medications such as antihistamines and nasal sprays.
These are important treatments to relieve symptoms.
On the other hand, sublingual immunotherapy is a treatment that not only temporarily suppresses symptoms but also gradually gets your body accustomed to the cause of the allergy itself.
In sublingual immunotherapy, you place medication containing the allergen component under your tongue and then swallow it.
By continuing this daily, we aim to gradually acclimate your body to allergens and alleviate allergy symptoms.
This is not a treatment that produces immediate results, but it is one treatment option for those who want to alleviate symptoms in the long term or reduce their medication dosage.
Diseases for which sublingual immunotherapy is indicated
The main targets of sublingual immunotherapy are the following two:
- Cedar pollen allergy
- Dander allergy
With Japanese cedar pollen allergies, symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes appear every spring.
Dander allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, can cause persistent symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing throughout the year, regardless of the season.
Before starting treatment, we will review the progress of your symptoms and identify the causative allergens through blood tests and other methods.
Sublingual immunotherapy is recommended for the following people:
If you have any of the following concerns, you may be a candidate for sublingual immunotherapy.
- Those who have severe symptoms every year during cedar pollen season
- Those who experience persistent runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing throughout the year
- Individuals diagnosed with allergic rhinitis due to house dust mites
- Those whose symptoms are not sufficiently controlled even with medication
- Someone who needs a lot of medicine every year during hay fever season.
- Those who wish to reduce their medication dosage in the future
- Those interested in treatments that improve constitution.
Precautions before starting treatment
Sublingual immunotherapy is not a treatment that can be performed on everyone.
In some cases, treatment may need to be delayed. This includes individuals with severe asthma, those who are pregnant at the start of treatment, or those who require caution due to medications they are currently taking or pre-existing medical conditions.
Also, sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis cannot be newly started during the pollen season.
Regarding the start date, please discuss it during your consultation.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Process
First, we will conduct an examination and tests to determine if you are a candidate for sublingual immunotherapy.
If applicable, we will begin treatment after explaining the dosage, side effects, and the necessity of follow-up visits.
The first dose is administered at a medical facility.
We will monitor you in the clinic for a while to check for any allergic reactions after administration.
If there are no problems, I will continue to take it daily at home afterwards.
Even after starting treatment, regular hospital visits are necessary to prescribe medication, check for side effects, and monitor changes in symptoms.
About the treatment period
Sublingual immunotherapy is not a short-term treatment.
To expect sufficient results, it generally requires continuous effort for about 3 to 5 years.
The effects may vary from person to person.
Some people experience significant relief from their symptoms, while others can only reduce the dosage of their medication.
Also, there are cases where sufficient effects cannot be obtained even if treatment continues.
It is important to think of it not as treatment to "stop symptoms immediately," but as treatment that "takes time to work towards lessening future symptoms."
Side effects and precautions
Sublingual immunotherapy can cause itching in the mouth, swelling of the tongue or lips, a feeling of discomfort in the throat, and itching in the ears.
Most cases have mild symptoms, but in rare cases, severe allergic reactions can occur.
If you experience shortness of breath, severe hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, or dizziness after taking this medication, please contact us immediately.
Additionally, it may be advisable to temporarily refrain from taking it on days when you are not feeling well, have severe asthma symptoms, have sores or inflammation in your mouth, or before or after dental procedures such as tooth extraction.
Please consult your doctor before stopping or restarting on your own.
To those interested in sublingual immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy is a treatment for cedar pollen allergy and house dust mite allergic rhinitis, aiming for effectiveness by continuing for about 3 to 5 years.
If you suffer from severe hay fever every year, have year-round rhinitis symptoms, or find that medication doesn't adequately control your symptoms, please feel free to consult us.
Please make an appointment with the Allergy Department.
At our clinic, we aim to ease your concerns and support your health
through attentive medical care in a calm and welcoming environment.
Please feel free to stop by and consult us, even during a casual walk around the neighborhood.