Does Parallel ENT & Allergy Offer
Dallas, Texas-based Trinity Hunt Partners launched Parallel ENT & Allergy Partners in July 2022. The company’s mission is to provide physician practice management support to ear, nose and throat and allergy practices. Allergy immunotherapy is a treatment that “turns down” allergic reactions to certain allergens. This can decrease symptoms and prevent asthma from developing in some patients.
Parallel ENT & Allergy shots, also known as sub-cutaneous immunotherapy, are a long-term treatment for allergy symptoms. These injections contain a small amount of the allergen you are allergic to, which helps build your immune system’s tolerance to it. The shots are given once a week to every other week. They usually last for about three to five years.
While the injections are considered safe, it is important to note that they can cause a number of reactions including redness and swelling at the site of the injection. They may also cause sneezing, nasal congestion and hives.
Does Parallel ENT & Allergy Offer Immunotherapy For Allergies?
There are also alternatives to allergy shots such as oral immunotherapy, or allergy drops. This can be done at home and requires only a few minutes of patient time. Allergy drops contain the same allergens as allergy shots, but are given under the tongue instead of being injected into the body. Often patients find this is more convenient and easier to administer at home.
A number of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can help alleviate the symptoms associated with allergies. These include antihistamines, decongestants, combination drugs and corticosteroids. These are used to treat mild, non-life threatening allergic reactions (asthma and nasal congestion). Epinephrine is often given for life-threatening, severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis, which include difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure.
Medications can also help reduce the swelling and itching of an allergy reaction, such as those caused by pollen. They can also be taken to prevent a reaction or to avoid exposure. Immunotherapy is a type of medical therapy for allergies that involves shots or pills placed under the tongue that gradually increase your tolerance to allergens. Allergy immunotherapy is usually given in a board-certified allergist’s office once or twice weekly for about 6-12 months.
Unlike medications that only treat symptoms, immunotherapy treats the underlying cause of allergies. It involves controlled exposure to allergens in increasing amounts and frequency (over a long period of time) that will stimulate your immune system to develop a natural immunity or tolerance.
SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) is a form of immunotherapy that uses drops under the tongue instead of injections. It has an excellent safety profile and is generally considered safer than allergy shots. This type of immunotherapy can be used to treat many types of allergies, including dust mites, animal dander, mold, pollen and food allergies. Symptoms are typically reduced for several years after starting therapy.
Allergy shots, also called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), are a safe and effective way to reduce the symptoms of seasonal, indoor, and insect sting allergies. They are often used as a long-term treatment for patients who do not respond well to medications or find them inconvenient.
Injections of allergen extracts are given once or twice weekly in a board-certified allergist’s office. The frequency and duration of injections depend on your allergy but may last from 6-12 months. The first few doses of allergen extract are low and slowly increased until the maintenance dose is reached. It generally takes about 24 weeks to reach the maintenance dose.