Allergic rhinitis due to house dust mites: evaluation of the efficacy of specific sublingual immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy, which I classify under the oral tolerance category, has been around for many years. Essentially, the clinician evaluates what the patient is allergic to and then gives the patient small vials with minute amounts of the allergen to be taken under the tongue. This is believed to work by de-activating the GALT cells of the GI tract (the immune system that surrounds the GI tract) against that antigen. The GALT then sends the same “safe” signal out to the rest of the body, thus reducing or eliminating the reaction against the allergen. Very safe, very inexpenisve, no side effects.