Answer : No. The immune system protects us from getting infections and helps clear them once we are exposed to germs. When the immune system gets over activated in response to other exposures like pollen, it is considered an allergy. So, in simple terms, allergy is an overactive immune system and not a weak immune system.

Answer : Rhinitis simply means the inflammation of the nose, and conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the eyes. When this is related to allergic response, it is labeled so. When the nose and the eyes are exposed to the allergy triggers, they produce chemicals under their lining. This makes them red and swollen, or inflamed. This inflammation is the reason for all the symptoms. Someone may have more involvement of the nose or the eyes than the other.

Answer : You can have one, many, or all of these common signs and symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, red nose, swelling inside the nose, congestion, stuffy nose, mouth breathing, snoring, sinus pressure, headaches, nasal tone, horizontal line on the outside of the nose, nosebleeds, throat clearing, itchy throat, postnasal drip, itchy ears, fatigue, not feeling well, itchy eyes, tearing, red eyes, swollen eyes, feeling of sand in the eyes, light sensitivity, cough. Symptoms of the eyes or nose can be present in the absence of other symptoms.

Answer : Besides the seasonal allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, allergy specialists can help with similar conditions from indoor allergens like dust mites, dog and cat dander, mold, cockroaches, etc. The other conditions associated with allergies are listed here: asthma, eczema, food allergy, hives, sinus conditions, insect venom allergy, drug allergy, latex allergy, chemical and cosmetics, contact allergy, poison ivy rash, plant dermatitis.

Answer : You and your family can help you more than anyone else can. Allergy specialists as well as other health-care professionals can give you guidance, but you are the one who can help yourself the most. The long-term relief from allergies involves your active participation in decisions and treatments. The other professionals who can help include allergists, pediatricians, family physicians, internists, and otolaryngologists.

Answer : First of all, we ask a lot of questions about your symptoms, environment, family, what is working, what is not working, etc. We examine your body for clues that might suggest the presence or absence of allergies. The next step is to do some tests to confirm or eliminate allergy as the cause of your symptoms. The allergy tests include prick skin tests, scratch skin tests, or blood tests. Allergists prefer skin tests that can be done while you are in the office.

Answer : The latest methods of allergy skin tests involve using disposable plastic devices that feel like a brush, which are applied on the upper back or on the forearms. We use various testing liquids (allergens) on the tips to check for individual allergies to indoor, outdoor, or food allergens. The list can include grass pollen, tree pollen, ragweed, weeds, dust mites, dog cat dander, mold, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, and many more. Once the test is applied, you wait for twenty minutes without touching or scratching. The test results are interpreted based on the size, swelling, and redness around each dot. In the presence of the true allergies, these dots get red and look like mosquito bites.

Answer : The positive skin tests to different allergens reflect the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE), made against these allergens in the allergic individual. The exposure to these allergens has a potential to trigger an overactive immune response that can cause allergy symptoms. The severity of allergy symptoms depends on many factors.

Answer : Patients who cannot be tested on the skin as well as some of the skin-tested patients may need blood tests.

Answer : The first step is to avoid or reduce the exposure to these allergens. The second step is to use nondrug supportive measures to reduce the need for medications. The third step is to find a combination of medicines to get one’s life back to normal. The goal is to use the minimum number of medicines for the shortest duration possible. The most important and last step is to consider allergy vaccines to modify overactive immune responses.

Answer : Dust mites are microscopic creatures found mainly in the mattress, pillows, and spaces that collect dust. You can reduce your exposure significantly by encasing the pillows, mattress, and box spring with dust mite barrier covers with zippers. Reducing the clutter, especially in the bedroom, and removing stuffed toys can be very helpful.

Answer :The best solution is to find another home for your pet. If this is not possible, at least do not allow pets in the bedroom, have someone wash the pets frequently, and consider air purifiers. Also, washing hands and changing clothes after direct pet exposure can be helpful.

Answer : Keeping the bedroom windows closed and car windows rolled up during the high pollen season can reduce exposure. Planning outdoor activities around the low pollen count and taking a shower, washing hair, and changing clothes after outdoor exposure can help.

Answer : Avoidance of allergen exposure is the beginning. Washing nose, sinuses, and eyes with saline can remove allergens and restore normal functions. Some of the nutritional supplements and herbs used under professional guidance can reduce the need for medications. Some nasal and breathing exercises and facial massage and posturing are showing promising results in reducing symptoms and draining secretions

Answer : Please allow an allergy professional to make this decision. The commonly used medications can be purchased with or without prescription. They are in the form of nose sprays, eyedrops, pills, chewable tablets, liquids, or capsules. The common oral medications are antihistamines, decongestants, antileukotrienes, and steroids. The nose sprays contain corticosteroids, cell stabilizers, or antihistamines. Based on the assessment, the allergy professional will determine one or all of the groups of medications to maximize the relief with minimum side effects. Some of the medications are to be used daily and some only while having allergy symptoms.
Can allergy be cured? Most allergy medications like anti-histaminics, decongestants and steroid sprays are generally prescribed, & they suppress your symptoms for a few hours or days but they do not cure. However, Allergen-specific Immunotherapy has been proven to be the ONLY way to potentially cure allergies and to stop the natural progress of allergic disease

Answer : Immunotherapy is the process of desensitizing the immune system to allergens in the environment (dusts, molds, pollens, etc.) Extracts of these allergens are mixed into a saline solution and introduced to the body through injections (subcutaneous) or under-the-tongue drops (sublingual). (Shots are subcutaneous immunotherapy, drops are sublingual immunotherapy.) Drops, however, can be taken at home as opposed to shots that must be given at the doctor’s office. Allergy drops are safer and can be prescribed to even young children. Over time, the concentration of these allergens is increased until the immune system learns to stop overreacting to them in ways that lead to troubling symptoms. Physicians prefer sublingual immunotherapy due to the safety profile as well as ease of putting drops under the tongue as opposed to injections.

Answer : A Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis reviewed 22 studies involving 979 patients receiving sublingual immunotherapy and concluded that sublingual immunotherapy is a safe treatment which reduces symptoms and medication requirements in allergic rhinitis. SLIT is also affirmed by the World Health Organization and the ARIA guidelines (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma). In addition, our studies show that more than 80 percent of allergic patients and 90 percent of asthmatics report marked symptom relief within the first few months of using Stallergo.

Answer : Sublingual allergy drops contain the same all-natural antigens found in shots. However, because drops are not associated with the same degree of risk for allergic /anaphylactic reaction that shots are, they are safe enough to be taken at home. They are far safer than allergy injections.

Answer : Studies have shown sublingual immunotherapy to be a safe and effective pediatric allergy treatment–even for kids less than 5 years old. Allergy drops for kids have also been shown to be safer at younger ages than shots are.

Answer : The majority of Stallergo patients experience marked symptom relief within the first few months of starting treatment. Many patients see improvement in as little as a few weeks. Each patient is unique, and individual results may vary.

Answer : Sublingual immunotherapy has been in popular use since the mid-1980s. It is currently widely used throughout the world and is especially popular in Europe where most physicians prefer the drops for allergy treatment.

Answer : The allergy drops are extremely comprehensive and designed to protect patients from most common allergens from around the world; you can expect extensive allergy protection.

Answer : With shots, allergy serum is injected into the skin and absorbs into the bloodstream. With sublingual drops, the serum is placed under the tongue where it can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream through special cells in the mouth. The drops can be prescribed by a sublingual immunotherapy doctor.

Answer : They are made of common antigens (protein extracts) found in nature (the things you are exposed to on a daily basis), putrified and presented in a liquid solution. They are natural extracts and they do not contain any antibiotics, antihistamines or steroids.

Answer : Many Stallergo clinics now offer food allergy treatment that includes SLIT (allergy drops) as well as Oral Immunotherapy that cover 59 different food items. To learn more about wheat, egg, milk, and nut allergy treatment and more, visit our website.

Answer : Allergy drops are made up of the same particles found in nature and have been shown to be safe for pregnant women. Although allergy drops should not be started in pregnancy, they are safe and, if already started, can be continued throughout the pregnancy.

Answer : Allergies can occur anytime from infancy to old age. Even if you wouldn’t have needed allergy drops as a kid, don’t be too surprised if the body suddenly decides to overreact to its environment.

Answer : While many patients start to feel symptom relief within just a few weeks of starting treatment, it can take longer for the body’s immune system to make a habit of its new, improved behavior. As a general rule, we recommend staying on the allergy treatment drops for at least 2-3 years. After this, some patients are able to stop taking the drops without relapse. Others stay on a basic maintenance dose under the care of a sublingual immunotherapy physician to stay allergy-free.

Answer : In addition to helping with standard food allergies, the drops have been shown to help with interstitial cystitis (IC) treatment and oral allergy syndrome treatment (OAS).

Answer : In addition to helping with standard food allergies, the drops have been shown to help with interstitial cystitis (IC) treatment and oral allergy syndrome treatment (OAS).

Answer : Like allergy shots, doctors can prescribe allergy drops for dog and cat allergies as well as pollen, dust and mould allergies. Allergy treatment can also prevent the development of sinusitis as well as prevent the recurrence of sinus infections after nasal surgery.

Answer : Allergy drops are an ideal alternative to allergy shots, as there are many advantages. Like injections, the drops are a form of immunotherapy. (Shots are subcutaneous immunotherapy, drops are sublingual immunotherapy.) Many studies have shown equal efficacy of drops in comparison to injections. Drops, however, can be taken at home by the patient as opposed to injections that must be given at the doctor’s office frequently. Allergy drops are safer and can be prescribed to younger children than shots can. And, of course, drops don’t hurt since they are simply dispensed as liquid under the tongue rather than delivered through injections. Like allergy shots, doctors can prescribe allergy drops for dog and cat allergies as well as pollen, dust and mold allergies. Another advantage of allergy drops is that they can also be prescribed for treatment of food allergies including milk, wheat and nut allergies.