If you can’t visit Historic Fourth Ward Park without getting itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing, you may benefit from allergy tablets. Allergy tablets, also known as sublingual immunotherapy, help your body build a tolerance to triggering substances. Below we provide a basic overview of allergy tablets.
What Causes Allergies?
Your immune system works to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But some people’s immune systems mistake harmless substances such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, certain foods, mold and insect stings as dangerous intruders.
An allergic reaction occurs when your body is exposed to one of these harmless substances, known as an allergen, and your immune system releases antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which causes your cells to release histamine. Histamine can increase your mucus production and cause swelling and itching; this is what causes your allergy symptoms.
How Do Allergy Tablets Work?
Allergy tablets act like vaccines in that they expose your body to a substance in small enough dosages it won’t cause harm so that your immune system can practice fighting it. Over time, your body will build up a tolerance and you won’t experience any more symptoms, or will experience significantly milder symptoms.
These tablets are dissolved under the tongue once per day. The FDA has approved tablets for treating allergies to dust mites, grass pollen and ragweed pollen. If your allergies are seasonal, you only need to take the tablets in the months preceding and during the springtime. If they’re year-round allergies, you’ll take the tablets continuously. Typically allergy tablets are taken for three to five years, though many begin to experience reduced symptoms within the first year
Who Can Take Allergy Tablets?
According to the FDA, grass allergy tablets are safe for people ages 10 to 65, and ragweed and dust mite allergy tablets are safe for people ages 18 to 65.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant, have a chronic medical condition or take medications to see if allergy tablets pose any risks.
What Are the Benefits of Allergy Tablets?
Unlike allergy shots, allergy tablets can be administered at home, with the exception of the very first dose. Allergy tablets have been shown in studies to be safe and effective. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call ENT of Georgia today.
