Allergy Drops
in San Mateo, CA

Allergy Drops

in San Mateo, CA

Millions of people in the United States experience allergies, which lead to many non-productive days and significant discomfort in daily life. While adults can often “deal” with these conditions, children are particularly vulnerable to their symptoms. Because allergies frequently appear in childhood, the underlying problem must be carefully identified and treated. By controlling the symptoms, we can halt their progression, lessen the risk of developing secondary complications, such as asthma and sinusitis, and, most importantly, help our patients feel better.
In recent years, allergy drops or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) have gained popularity in relieving allergies. This treatment is widely utilized in Europe, and the World Health Organization has endorsed it as a viable alternative to injections. Many of our patients, both adults and children, have significantly improved their symptoms with SLIT. The Allergy & Asthma Center in San Mateo offers customized allergy drops, helping people restore their well-being and quality of life.

What Are Allergy Drops?

Allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy, are a well-established treatment where a personalized liquid extract of specific allergens is placed under the patient’s tongue. The procedure typically involves two distinct phases: build-up and maintenance. The entire treatment timeline can span approximately three to five years. During the build-up phase, patients receive gradually increasing concentrations of allergen extracts to help their immune system become less reactive. The maintenance stage follows, where individuals continue therapy to maintain their improved tolerance. Unlike traditional injections, allergy drops offer a more convenient at-home treatment option that can be self-administered under medical guidance.

Types of Allergies We Treat

SLIT effectively addresses several types of allergies through targeted extracts. The primary conditions that can be treated
with drops include:

Seasonal Respiratory Allergies

Pollen allergies (from grass, trees, and weeds) often cause seasonal rhinitis. These conditions may lead to significant nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and respiratory discomfort, dramatically impacting daily quality of life. Our comprehensive treatment helps patients manage their symptoms during peak periods.
Specialized drops reduce sensitivity to dust mites – microscopic organisms often found in pillows, carpets, and fabric-covered furniture. Such allergies frequently cause persistent nasal congestion and can exacerbate asthma and eczema in some individuals.
Our targeted extracts help patients develop tolerance to allergenic proteins found in cat and dog hair, skin cells, and saliva, potentially reducing allergic reactions. Animals can cause significant respiratory symptoms, including wheezing and throat irritation, making it challenging for people to maintain close contact with their pets.
Our customized drops aim to desensitize the immune system to specific types of indoor and outdoor mold allergens, which may trigger persistent allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Common issues include chest tightness and breathing difficulties, particularly in damp or humid environments.
SLIT comprehensively addresses multiple indoor allergen sensitivities, including combinations of dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores that contribute to chronic symptoms. These complex conditions often result in ongoing respiratory challenges and can significantly impact overall health and quality of life.

Consultation Before Allergy Drops

Preparation for SLIT begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation that typically involves detailed allergy testing to identify specific sensitivities. Our doctors conduct a thorough assessment, which may include skin prick tests or blood work to precisely map the patient’s allergic profile and determine the most appropriate extracts. During the initial consultation, we review the individual’s complete medical history, current symptoms, and previous treatments to design a personalized immunotherapy approach. The customized allergy drops are formulated based on the testing results, creating a comprehensive plan for specific allergic triggers. Patients receive detailed instructions about dosage, administration, and potential initial side effects, ensuring they are fully prepared to begin their healing journey.

Two Phases of Allergy Drop Therapy

Build-Up
The build-up phase is the initial stage of allergy immunotherapy where patients are introduced to progressively increasing concentrations of extracts. During this critical period, the immune system develops tolerance by receiving carefully measured doses that start at very low levels and gradually increase in strength. Typically lasting 7-8 months (30-32 weeks), this phase involves careful medical supervision to monitor the body’s response and adjust the treatment accordingly. People receive incrementally stronger allergy drops to help their immune system become less reactive to specific allergens, laying the groundwork for long-term desensitization.
In the maintenance phase, most patients transition to a consistent, predetermined dosage of extract tailored to their specific allergic profile. Typically, the optimal course of treatment with SLIT is 5 years. Although most patients feel significantly better within 12-18 months, it is essential to continue this therapy for at least 5 years to help ensure optimal benefits and prevent relapse when treatment is stopped.

How Effective Are Allergy Drops?

Research indicates that SLIT can effectively reduce allergic symptoms for many patients. Clinical studies show dramatic improvement rates for specific sensitivities. The effectiveness varies depending on the type of allergen, the patient’s immune response, and consistency of treatment adherence. SLIT can provide significant symptom reduction and potentially modify the immune system’s reaction over time.
While not universally successful for every patient, allergy drops have shown promising results, particularly for individuals with specific environmental and seasonal allergies like grass, tree pollen, dust mites, and certain animal dander. We highly recommend SLIT as a viable alternative or complement to traditional treatments, especially for patients who cannot tolerate or have not responded well to standard immunotherapy methods.

Are the Allergy Drops Safe?

The incidence of significant reactions to allergy drops is very low. The most common side effects are mild itching or tingling of the mouth or tongue. Severe systemic responses to SLIT are extremely rare. With dosing adjustments, treatment usually proceeds as scheduled, without incidents or discomfort.

 The extracts used in SLIT are the same FDA-approved substances utilized in injection immunotherapy. Allergy drops have not yet been officially cleared in their current form, but this should not cause concern. Off-label use of FDA-approved products is widespread in the United States. The classic example is the consumption of aspirin to prevent heart attacks, which occurred for years when the FDA had not yet approved this practice, even though it was widely known that such treatment was safe and effective. Another case is the use of seizure medications, which were proven and used off-label to prevent migraine headaches. There is frequently a long lag between finding a treatment effective and receiving an FDA approval to cure a specific medical condition.

Candidates for Allergy Drops

Allergy drops may be a suitable option for individuals experiencing persistent discomfort. Those struggling with watery eyes, a stuffy nose, or other issues caused by allergens might consider this approach. The following groups are potential candidates:

Benefits of Allergy Drops

Reduction in Allergy Symptoms

Allergy drops decrease the immune system’s hypersensitivity to specific allergens, significantly reducing unpleasant reactions. Our targeted approach helps minimize sneezing, itching, congestion, and respiratory discomfort. By gradually desensitizing the body’s allergic response, patients experience fewer and less intense symptoms over time, improving overall quality of life and reducing the need for medications.
SLIT offers a less invasive alternative to traditional allergy shots, eliminating the need for painful injections and frequent clinic visits. Patients can self-administer the drops at home, making the treatment process more convenient and less intimidating. This immunotherapy is particularly appealing for needle-averse individuals or those with limited access to medical facilities.
Unlike temporary symptom management, SLIT provides a sustained approach to addressing allergic conditions by modifying the immune system’s fundamental response. Most patients experience progressive improvement in their sensitivities, with potential lasting effects that can extend well beyond the active treatment period. The long-term nature of this therapy offers a comprehensive solution that goes beyond masking symptoms, providing years of reduced allergic reactivity and improved overall health.

Cost of Allergy Drops in San Mateo, CA

The cost of allergy drops in San Mateo may vary depending on the clinic, treatment plan, and duration of therapy. Some patients find this option more accessible than traditional allergy shots, especially when dealing with persistent symptoms like watery eyes or a stuffy nose. Our clinic offers comprehensive consultations to select the best option for each individual’s needs.

What Makes Our Allergy Treatments Different From Others?

The Allergy & Asthma Clinic offers top-notch treatments through a personalized approach to immunotherapy that transcends the typical doctor’s office experience. Our innovative testing protocols and careful allergen mapping enable us to address each patient’s unique immune response. Unlike conventional practices using generalized approaches, we leverage advanced diagnostic technologies to create highly individualized immunotherapy extracts that target specific allergenic triggers. Our methodology goes beyond symptom management to address the problem at the fundamental level. The Allergy & Asthma Clinic delivers personalized care that improves quality of life with maximum comfort and convenience.
Allergies

Environmental Allergies

Other CommonAllergies

Allergies Testing
Allergic Treatments

Allergy Shots

Allergy Drops

Allergy Medications

Lifestyle Changes

First and foremost let me start by saying that these people did one hell of a job figuring out my sinus problems. When I first arrived there, I explained what was going on with me having excessive inflammation in the sinus…after they tested me, I found out that I was being exposed to dust mites which gave me a strong reaction. I followed the doctors guides lines in terms of cleaning my room and ever since, my sinus inflammation went away for good and now I have a healthy sinus. Thank you for everything.

- Johnathon T
Dr. Engler is great and his staff, both medical and administrative, are wonderful. Dr. Engler is competent, caring, and listens better than any doctor I’ve ever had, constantly and patiently asking if I have any more questions. The staff is great. The nurses are very friendly and helpful. The desk staff is the same. I have been going here over a year and have always received caring and competent treatment. I highly recommend them.
- Tom B
Hands down the best place to go for Allergies and Asthma. The staff is incredibly kind and caring and so professional and helpful. I’ve been going here for over 30 years and they have gone out of their way countless times to make sure that I was well-cared-for. The nurses are excellent and always make sure to ask how my family is doing not to mention that they give the most painless allergy shots around. They remember little details about me and always make sure to give me a lollipop for my son, even when he’s not with me. Brooke is a great diagnostician and listener and each time I have an appointment with her, I always leave feeling better. The same is true for Dr. Engler.

My 10 year old son also has allergies and asthma and the staff makes sure that he feels well taken care of and comfortable, despite his having Autism and ADHD. He actually looks forward to going there with me, whether it be for my allergy shots or even when he needed allergy skin testing. When you’re a patient at the Allergy and Asthma clinic, you are treated as if you are the only patient they have, even when the waiting room is full. Dr. Engler has hired truly excellent staff, from the front desk people to the nurses and medical assistants. If you have allergies and/or asthma and you live on the Peninsula or even in the city, I highly recommend that you visit the Allergy and Asthma Clinic. They are truly amazing and will make you feel so much better.

-Sandi S.
I had an amazing experience at this clinic. Dr. Engler and the staff were all extremely welcoming, warm, and thorough in their various lanes of work from the front desk to billing to the assistants to Dr. Engler himself.
One thing I wish I knew before coming in was that the food test covers 80 allergens, and the environmental test covers 80 allergens meaning if you want to do both you need to come two separate days. This is kind of a hassle but definitely worth it since you’ll be tested for 160 allergens whereas most clinics only test 80 total.
Through the tests I figured out what I was allergic to and was advised to use an over the counter medication which has drastically helped and eliminated the symptoms I was experiencing. Dr. Engler also covered all the things I needed to do to reduce my symptoms via my lifestyle which was super helpful with my symptom reduction as well. I’d highly recommend this clinic! Insurance covered the tests and visits. (I have anthem blue cross)
-Christina L
I’ve been a patient at The Allergy and Asthma Clinic for over 12 years, and I can’t speak highly enough of the care I’ve received. Growing up with severe pollen allergies, I’ve been on and off allergy shots for years, and this clinic has truly been a lifesaver for me.
From the moment you walk in, you’re treated like family. The staff is incredibly kind, caring, and genuinely invested in your well-being. I have never had a negative experience with anyone here; everyone is consistently friendly and supportive.
Dr. Engler is exceptional! He has a remarkable ability to quickly and effectively address any situation. His expertise and compassionate approach have made a significant difference in managing my allergies.
If you’re struggling with allergies or asthma, this is the place to go. I wholeheartedly recommend The Allergy and Asthma Clinic to anyone seeking top-notch care.
-Trevor C