SLIT is safe for children three years old and up. It’s an ideal treatment for children because it reduces their sensitivity and can prevent future related concerns, like allergy-induced asthma.

SLIT is also safe for highly reactive people and those with underlying medical conditions that prevent them from being candidates for allergy shots.

If you have asthma, you should have your symptoms well under control during testing and early treatment. We suggest you bring your salbutamol (blue) inhaler to your testing and treatments.

Sublingual immunotherapy has been used for over 70 years in various countries. The World Health Organization considers sublingual immunotherapy an alternative to traditional allergy shots. SLIT, when compared to traditional allergy shots, costs less, is more convenient and requires fewer clinic visits.

Prevention. Plan to start treatment four to eight weeks before pollen season to take a preventative approach.

• Trees: start treatment in early December or January
• Grasses: start treatment in early April or May

Symptom management. Co-seasonal treatment (treatment during active allergy symptoms) can start at any time during the allergy season.

• Trees: February to June
• Grasses: June to August

Note. There is no season for mold, cat dander, or house dust mite. You can start treatment at any time.

Anyone can receive Sublingual Immunotherapy, you don’t have to be an existing naturopathic patient.

Initial appointment
About 60 minutes

Your naturopath will:

• Do an initial scratch test to confirm which allergens you react to
• Write you a prescription for an allergy blend specific to your allergies

You can pick up your allergy drop prescription here at Acacia or at Island Pharmacy, located at 106-284 Helmcken Rd. Your allergy drops may be covered by your extended benefits provider, please contact them to confirm before payment.

About scratch tests

• The scratch test takes a few minutes but the results can take up to an hour
• Scratch tests are highly accurate (98% sensitivity and 95% specificity) for pollen, dander, dust mite, and mold spore allergies
• You cannot receive a scratch test if you’re taking beta-blockers
• We don’t recommend receiving a scratch test if you’re pregnant

Follow-up appointment: Trial dose
About 20 minutes

You’ll need to come to the clinic to take your first dose once you’ve picked up your allergy drops or they are ready for pickup at Acacia.

Note: You need to call the clinic to inform them you are coming. You do not need to make an appointment. There is no charge for this visit.

• You must stay at the clinic at least 20 minutes after you take your first dose so we can monitor you for an allergic reaction
• After this trial dose, you can take the rest of your daily doses at home, just follow the instructions on your prescription

Important notes

• You’ll need to be retested after 6 to 12 months to determine if you need to continue treatment
• A typical course of treatment is from 1 to 3 years