ALLERGY SHOTS vs. ALLERGY DROPS

Tollgate Allergy provides allergy shots, but we do not provide allergy drops.

ALLERGY SHOTS, also known as allergen immunotherapy or subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT),first began in 1911 when Leonard Noon published a study demonstrating the effectiveness of injecting pollen extract to alleviate grass pollen allergy symptoms.  Numerous published studies have since demonstrated the effectiveness of allergy shots.  Regular injection of allergens “train” the immune system to stop overreacting to airborne allergens.  Allergy shot treatment is FDA approved and typically is covered by insurance. 

 ALLERGY DROPS are a form of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) that is an alternative way to treat allergies without injections. Daily sublingual administration of allergens can also “train” the immune system to stop overreacting to allergens.  Currently, the only forms of SLIT approved by the FDA are solid tablets for ragweed pollen, grass pollen and dust mites. The effective dose of allergy drops has not been established by FDA-approved studies. Because allergy drops are not FDA-approved, health insurance typically does not pay for allergy drops.