Needle-Free Allergy Treatment in Austin, TX
What Are Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops are a needle-free form of allergy immunotherapy, designed to retrain the immune system, so it can block allergic reactions before they can start. By delivering small doses of the allergens under the tongue, this treatment helps patients build protective antibodies that reduce allergy symptoms over time. Many patients experience fewer nasal symptoms, less itching, and a noticeable decrease in sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes with reduced reliance on allergy medications.
Unlike allergy shots, allergy drops can be given safely at home, require no needles, are safer than allergy shot therapy, and allow individuals to avoid the weekly office visits associated with weekly shots, making them an effective treatment option for busy patients, children, and anyone who prefers a more gentle approach to allergy treatment. What makes our allergy drops ahead of the curve is clinical studies have even shown that sublingual immunotherapy is comparable in efficacy to traditional injections, with fewer side effects and a lower risk of severe allergic reaction, adverse reaction, or life-threatening allergic reaction.
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How Are Allergy Drops Made?
Allergy drops are customized based on allergy testing performed in our Austin office and are equal in efficacy to allergy shot therapy. Instead of needles being used, we use a plastic multi-pressure device dipped in common allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, animal dander, and common allergens that are gently placed on the patient’s back. The results are read within 15 minutes, allowing our team to identify the allergens and allergies treated most relevant to your symptoms. Positive reactions are used to formulate the appropriate allergy drops. Some patients have LAR (local allergic rhinitis) a condition where allergies are isolated to the nasal and sinus membranes that may not show on skin or blood testing. We also include allergens that the patient knows bother them, even if negative on skin testing, to treat this LAR. This ensures your treatment plan addresses the allergens such as trees, weeds, grasses, molds, danders, and other allergens that produce your symptoms.
Allergy Drops Vs. Allergy Shots?
Allergy shots are a well-known allergy treatment for severe allergies, and they’ve helped many patients manage persistent symptoms over the years. But they come with two major drawbacks: weekly visits to the doctor’s office as well as the need for injections. For individuals with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or common allergies who prefer to avoid needles or who struggle with the time commitment, shots can feel like a barrier rather than a solution.
Research and clinical experience in Europe led to the development of allergy drop therapy, a needle-free form of immunotherapy that uses sublingual allergy drops placed under the tongue. Specialized immune cells beneath the oral lining respond to small doses of allergens, helping the body’s immune system build the same protective, allergy-blocking antibodies created with injections. This process reduces allergic reactions, improves nasal symptoms, and helps treat seasonal allergies, dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens.
Instead of weekly visits and shots, patients can safely use their sublingual allergy drops under their tongue once daily to relieve their allergy complaints. If you have held off on allergy testing because of needle anxiety, weekly shots, or concerns about side effects, allergy drops offer a gentle, convenient alternative. They also avoid the risk of severe allergic reaction, adverse reactions, or life-threatening allergic reactions sometimes associated with injections, making them a strong choice for patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, or asthma who need a lower-risk therapy.
What Are The Benefits Of Allergy Drops?
Allergy drops offer a powerful, needle-free way to reduce persistent allergy symptoms by training the immune system to respond more calmly to everyday allergens. As your body builds tolerance through sublingual immunotherapy, many patients notice that their most frustrating symptoms begin to ease quickly, even within the first weeks of treatment.
This form of therapy will quickly reduce allergy symptoms such as the following:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Congestion and other nasal symptoms
- Postnasal drip
- Sinus inflammation
- Recurring sinus infections linked to allergic reactions
By delivering small doses of the allergens under the tongue, allergy drops help decrease inflammation, reduce reliance on allergy medications or allergy medicines, and improve long-term control of seasonal allergies and other common allergens. Many patients also experience fewer side effects compared to injections, with a lower risk of severe allergic reactions, adverse reactions, or life-threatening allergic reactions.
Our team of ENT Specialists explains how allergy drops work by stimulating the same protective antibody response achieved with allergy shots, but without needles, weekly visits, or the discomfort some patients feel with injections. This makes allergy drops an effective treatment option for those who have avoided allergy testing due to needle anxiety or concerns about performing weekly shots and office visits. Over time, patients often see meaningful improvement in their ability to treat allergies, avoid flare-ups triggered by other allergens, and maintain better day-to-day comfort, especially when combined with strategies to avoid allergens and reduce exposure.
Who Are The Ideal Candidates For Allergy Drop Treatment?
Allergy drops are an excellent option for patients seeking a needle-free, convenient alternative to traditional allergy medicines and allergy testing. Anyone who is experiencing persistent allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, nasal symptoms, or sinus inflammation, and would like an alternative to all of the typical allergy medicines may benefit from this gentle, at-home therapy. It’s especially helpful in patients who are not getting enough relief from the usual over the counter medications, antihistamines, nasal sprays, or intranasal corticosteroids and allergy treatments.
Allergy drops are also safe even for patients who normally can’t take allergy shots, such as those on Beta-Blockers. Patients who are on Beta-Blockers, or those with asthma, heart disease, or high blood pressure, often need to avoid injections due to the risk of severe allergic reaction, adverse reactions, or life-threatening allergic reactions. Sublingual therapy offers a lower-risk alternative while still helping the body’s immune system build tolerance to allergens.
There is no age requirement for sublingual allergy drops, making them a safe and well-tolerated option for young children. The drops taste sweet, are easy to administer under the tongue, and help treat allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies, and other allergies treated without needles. In our Austin office, allergy testing is performed without needles using a gentle multi-pressure device, so even toddlers or very young children can be evaluated comfortably. For children too young for testing, we can formulate drops based on their medical history and what parents have observed as the first signs of symptoms whether triggered by certain allergies, other allergens, or environmental exposures.
Because allergy drops deliver small doses of allergens daily, they support long-term improvements with fewer severe symptoms, and a more personalized treatment plan. They’re an excellent choice for families seeking an effective treatment that will fit easily into their daily routines while helping their children and themselves finally treat allergies with confidence.
Allergy Drops Patient Testimonial
“I have been a patient of Dr. Slaughter for years. I have received the best of care from him and his staff. I have quality ear care and allergy relief. The allergy drop treatment has made living in Austin more comfortable year round. It is the most relief from allergy issues I have received since moving to Austin.”
– Nancy
“I have suffered with allergies since moving to Austin 7 yrs ago. I used a competitor’s drops for 4 yrs and never felt better. 2 mos, and when everyone is complaining I am feeling great with your drops! Spent Thxgiving in Corpus at beach which always clears out the allergens, hit San Antonio and my husband is choking, etc. I feel absolutely nothing as far as the allergens that normally made me miserable. Life changing!”
– Denise
What Is Local Allergic Rhinitis (LAR) Treatment?
Some patients are told they “don’t have allergies” because their allergy testing comes back negative. But negative skin or blood tests don’t always mean the absence of allergies. Many individuals with classic allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal symptoms, itchy eyes, sinus inflammation, or recurring sinus infections actually do have Local Allergic Rhinitis (LAR).
LAR occurs when the allergic response is confined to the nasal and sinus membranes rather than the entire body’s immune system and is not systemic (negative blood or skin testing). Because the reaction is local, traditional testing may not detect it. These patients still experience allergic reactions, severe symptoms, and inflammation triggered by common allergens, but their results appear “normal” on standard testing.
Allergy drops are one of the most effective ways to treat allergies in patients with LAR. Even when testing is negative, we can formulate sublingual allergy drops or sublingual allergy therapy based on:
- Patient’s medical history
- Their known exposures
- The times of year symptoms flare
- The allergens most common in Central Texas
Typical offenders including trees, weeds, grasses, pet danders, animal danders, molds, and dust mites are included to create a personalized treatment plan. These small doses of allergens placed under the tongue help reduce inflammation, prevent severe allergic reaction, and improve long-term control of a wide variety of allergens.
If your allergy test was negative but you know you have allergies, you should watch this video and learn about Local Allergic Rhinitis.
How Are Allergy Drops Used?
Allergy drops are simple, quick, and designed for everyday use at home. Patients take their allergy drop dose once a day under their tongue, where specialized immune cells can absorb small doses of the selected allergens. The drops are held for about 2 minutes, then swallowed, allowing the body’s immune system to begin building tolerance that reduces allergic reactions and improve long-term allergy symptoms.
This needle-free method makes sublingual allergy drops an easy alternative to weekly shots, especially for individuals managing allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies, or other common allergens. Because the drops taste sweet and are well tolerated, they’re ideal for both adults and children, including those who cannot take allergy shots due to conditions like asthma, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Daily use supports steady improvement, fewer severe symptoms, and a more comfortable consistent approach to treat allergies without relying heavily on allergy medications, nasal sprays, or intranasal corticosteroids.
How Quickly Can Allergy Drops Relieve Symptoms?
Allergy drops reach a maintenance dose in less than two weeks, allowing the immune system to begin building protective antibodies early in treatment. Many patients start to notice improvements in their allergy symptoms within the first 6 weeks. By the six-month mark, most individuals experience significant symptomatic relief, with fewer allergic reactions, less reliance on allergy medications, and improved control of seasonal allergies and other common allergens.
A full course of sublingual allergy drops typically lasts at least 36 months, which is the minimum time needed for the body’s immune system to “learn its lesson.” Over these three years, daily small doses of allergens placed under the tongue help the body create long-lasting, allergy-blocking antibodies. In many cases, these antibodies continue to work even after treatment ends, reducing severe symptoms, preventing inflammation, and helping patients treat allergies more effectively without ongoing therapy. Some patients may need a longer course depending on their medical history, exposure to other allergens, or the severity of conditions like allergic rhinitis, asthma, or certain allergies. But for most, three years of consistent treatment provides durable, meaningful improvements with fewer side effects than weekly shots or traditional allergy medicines.
Can I Take Over-The-Counter Medication With Allergy Drops?
Many patients continue using their traditional allergy medicines, including nasal sprays, intranasal corticosteroids, and antihistamines, when they begin allergy drop therapy. These treatments work together safely, helping manage allergy symptoms.
As sublingual immunotherapy starts retraining the body’s immune system to reduce allergic reactions, most patients find that by 3 to 6 months into allergy drop therapy they no longer need over the counter medications or other allergy medicines.
Are There Side Effects To Allergy Drops?
Many patients continue using their traditional allergy medicines, including nasal sprays, intranasal corticosteroids, and antihistamines, when they begin allergy drop therapy. These treatments work together safely, helping manage allergy symptoms.
As sublingual immunotherapy starts retraining the body’s immune system to reduce allergic reactions, most patients find that by 3 to 6 months into allergy drop therapy they no longer need over the counter medications or other allergy medicines.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about sublingual allergy drops, personalized treatment plans, or whether this treatment option is right for your allergies, contact our Austin office today! Call (512) 601-0303 or request a consultation online to schedule a consultation with a member of our elite board-certified ENT specialists.
Breathe better. Live better. Feel better—with allergy drop therapy.
Austin Allergy Drop Therapy – FAQs
How do allergy drops support the body’s immune system?
Allergy drops work by exposing the body to small doses of specific allergens, allowing the immune system to build up its tolerance gradually. This process reduces allergic reactions, decreases inflammation, and helps prevent severe symptoms over time. Unlike medications that only mask allergy symptoms, sublingual immunotherapy retrains your body’s immune response, making it an effective treatment for seasonal allergies, dust mites, pet dander, and a myriad of other allergens.
Can allergy drops help treat food allergies or certain foods that trigger reactions?
While allergy drops are most commonly used for environmental allergens, they can also be formulated for food allergies or reactions to certain foods. By delivering controlled exposure under the tongue, drops may reduce allergic reactions, improve tolerance, and help patients avoid severe allergic or life‑threatening allergic reaction episodes. A personalized treatment plan is essential for safe use.
Are allergy drops effective for patients with asthma or difficulty breathing?
Yes. Allergy drops can be beneficial for patients with asthma, especially when symptoms are triggered by common allergens like animal dander, dust mites, or molds. By reducing airway inflammation and preventing nasal symptoms, drops may lessen episodes of difficulty breathing. They are also safer for individuals who cannot take allergy shots due to heart disease or high blood pressure.
What allergies are treated most successfully with sublingual allergy drops?
Allergy drops can treat a wide range of allergies, including allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies, perennial rye, sweet vernal, pet dander, animal dander, dust mites, and other allergens. Because drops target the underlying immune response, they help reduce symptoms, prevent severe reaction, and improve long‑term control of common allergies.
How do allergy drops compare to allergy tablets sold over the counter?
Allergy tablets and over the counter medications, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, and intranasal corticosteroids only relieve symptoms temporarily. Allergy drops, however, modify the body’s immune system to reduce allergic reactions at the source. Drops also avoid medication‑related side effects and can treat a broader range of allergens than tablets.
Can allergy drops reduce inflammation and skin symptoms caused by allergies?
Yes. Many patients experience improvements in skin symptoms such as itching, redness, and irritation. By lowering systemic inflammation, drops help reduce reactions triggered by common allergens, animal dander, and other allergens. This makes them a strong treatment option for individuals with both respiratory and skin allergy complaints.
Do allergy drops help prevent emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions?
Allergy drops can reduce the likelihood of needing emergency treatment by decreasing the body’s sensitivity to triggers. As tolerance builds, patients experience fewer severe allergic reaction, adverse reactions, or life‑threatening allergic reaction episodes. Drops are especially helpful for patients with a history of intense allergic responses or those exposed to common allergens daily.
How do allergy drops work for patients with medical history concerns like heart disease?
Patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, or those taking medications that make allergy shots unsafe often do well with allergy drops. Because drops are taken under the tongue and do not require injections, they carry fewer risks of severe symptoms or systemic reactions. This makes them a safer, more accessible treatment option.
Can allergy drops help reduce symptoms caused by exposure to common allergens at home?
Absolutely. Allergy drops help patients build tolerance to common allergens found in homes, such as dust mites, pet dander, plants, and molds. Over time, patients notice fewer nasal symptoms, less itching, and reduced sneezing. Drops also complement environmental components to avoid allergens and remove allergens from living spaces.
Are allergy drops considered a long‑term treatment for chronic allergies?
Yes. Allergy drops are a long term treatment designed to retrain the immune system over several years. Most patients complete a 36‑month course of treatment, during which symptoms decrease, flareups lessen, and tolerance improves. Drops help the body continue producing protective antibodies even after therapy ends, making them one of the most durable ways to treat allergies.
How much do allergy drops cost?
Typically, the allergy test will be covered by your insurance. Some insurance may cover allergy drops and some may not, but even for those needing to pay cash, the drops are quite affordable. Typically, about the same you would pay for using Flonase and a Zyrtec daily. In comparison to the cost of driving to the doctor’s office and paying a copay for allergy shots, the cost for drops is very favorable as well. In the long-term, the cost is much less than medicine as well as the drops can arrive at a cure over time whereby there is no need for dops or medicine.