Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an at-home allergy treatment where you place allergen extracts or tablets under your tongue. It exposes your immune system to small, controlled amounts of allergens over time, retraining your body to build a permanent tolerance, which reduces or eliminates your reliance on medications. [1, 2, 3, 4] How SLIT Works
The Process: You place a specific, measured drop or tablet under your tongue for 1–2 minutes, then swallow it.
The Goal: Over 3 to 5 years, your immune system builds a tolerance so you experience fewer, less severe allergy symptoms.
Convenience: Unlike traditional allergy shots that require weekly or monthly clinical visits, SLIT is typically administered at home every day. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
What SLIT Treats
Airborne Allergens: Highly effective against hay fever (allergic rhinitis) caused by tree/grass pollens, dust mites, mold, and pet dander.
Food Allergies: SLIT is used to desensitize patients to specific food allergies (like peanuts and milk), though this is typically a specialized, off-label treatment. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
FDA Approval and Insurance
Tablets vs. Drops: In the U.S., only specific tablets for ragweed, grass, and dust mites have FDA approval and are generally covered by insurance. Custom-blended allergy drops are widely used by
practitioners but are currently considered off-label and are usually an out-of-pocket expens
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