Sublingual Immunotherapy: FSA Eligibility

What is sublingual immunotherapy?

Sublingual immunotherapy, also known as SLIT, is an alternative form of allergenic immunotherapy that helps to alleviate allergy symptoms and build the patient's immunity to allergens without the use of injections. As opposed to regular allergy injections, sublingual immunotherapy treatments consist of tablets or drops under the tongue to significantly reduce allergy symptoms over time (John Hopkins Medicine).

Immunotherapy, also sometimes referred to as biological therapy, is a term that encompasses a wide range of potential treatments. At its heart, immunotherapy is designed to harness the body's own immune system to combat specific infections and diseases. The goal of these treatments is to trigger an immune response in the body or enhance the system's resistance to active diseases and preconditions like cancer or allergies.

Over the past several decades, sublingual immunotherapy treatments have been shown to be just as safe and effective as traditional allergy shots. These SLIT treatments can alleviate allergic symptoms caused by dust mites, grass/ragweed/tree pollen and pet dander, and clinical trials are also underway to study SLIT delivery methods to treat possible food allergies as well. This treatment is safe for both children and adults, and sublingual immunotherapy is also preferred by some allergy sufferers for the convenience of being able to take SLIT treatments in their own homes (Verywell Health).