ALLERGY TREATMENT OPTIONS

We look forward to helping you manageyour allergy symptoms and treat the underlying cause of your allergies. Your physician will discussthe various treatment options, their benefits and risks, and answer any questions. Together we will choose the options which are best for you.

Lifestyle Adjustments – Environment control measures may be critical to reducing exposure to both indoor and outdoor allergens. Dietary changes may be necessary for any food sensitivities.

Medications – Over-the-counter and prescription medicines, nasal sprays, and inhalers can be used to reduce your allergy symptoms. These may need to be used on a long term basisbut can often be decreased or eliminated by utilizing immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy – The only method of changing the underlying allergic disease is with immunotherapy,also known as desensitization. Immunotherapy can be given either by allergy injections or by sublingual allergy drops. Over time this treatment builds your immunesystem’stoleranceto allergens improving your symptoms and decreasing the use of medications.

Allergy Injections (allergy shots) – Allergy shots are given in the office and usually consists of two shots, one in each upper arm. A series of injections are typically given for a three to five year period. Most patients visit the office weekly for the first year,every two weeks for the second year, and then every third week until the end of treatment. Symptom relief is anticipated in three to six months.You will seethe doctor every three months to evaluate your progress. Because ofthe rare possibility of a reaction to an allergy injection, we ask the patient to remain inthe office for 20 minutes following the shots. Most medical insurance companiescover allergy shots, although co-pays usually apply.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (allergy drops) –Allergy drops are delivered under your tongue and can safely be taken at home. Drops are custom formulatedbased on the results of your allergy tests and work much like allergy shots by desensitizing you to the things that cause your allergic reactions. Allergy dropsare taken daily and symptom relief is anticipated in two to threemonths. You will see the doctor every three months to evaluate your progress.The treatment with allergy drops usually lasts for three to five years. By completing a full treatment course we expect prolonged relief from symptoms even after you stop taking the drops. Most medical insurancecompanies cover the cost of allergy testing and office visits but do not coverthe allergy drops. You can be reimbursed for drops if you use a Health Saving Account (HSA) or Flex Plan.Your customized allergy drops cost approximately $15 per week. Most patients agree that this investment is well worth the safety, convenience,and improvement in theirhealth. Also we expect you will have less costs because of a decrease in medications needed. Further, there are no insurance co-pays as there are with allergy shots, and no need to take time off fromwork or school to get the shots. We are pleased to be one of only a few offices in the Bay area offering these safe and effective allergy drops.

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