4 New Treatment Options for Allergies | Covenant Allergy and Asthma

In our last blog, we talked about some of the traditional treatment options for allergies. Today, Covenant Allergy and Asthma would like to provide information about the newer treatment options of which you might not be aware.

Oral Immunotherapy Tablets
For sufferers of a grass or ragweed allergy, there are oral immunotherapy tablets. Unlike most other treatment options, these can be taken at home, there is no “build up dose” requirement, and the risk of severe allergic reaction is quite small. These tablets work very well to reduce the allergy symptoms associated with grass and ragweed allergy for most patients. Currently, Merck makes Grastek, and Stallergenes makes Oralair.

Accelerated Immunotherapy
Also called “RUSH,” accelerated immunotherapy is a fast-track schedule of the traditional allergy shots. Rather than two sets of injections each week, patients get one set every 30 minutes over the course of several hours. Our clinical staff monitors each patient during the treatments. Successful adherence to the initial vials using RUSH immunotherapy allows patients to move onto the maintenance injections (every other week) within five months or less.

Modified RUSH
Another option for immunotherapy is called “Modified RUSH.” With this procedure a allergy patient receives two sets of injections 30 minutes apart. The patient is closely monitored during treatment due to a slightly elevated risk of adverse effects.

Acupuncture
Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical practices in the world. ‘Acupuncture’ is an umbrella term that refers to multiple procedures involving the stimulation of various anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques.

The most commonly researched acupuncture techniques involve penetrating the skin with hair-thin metallic needles. Believe it or not, the procedure is painless and many people doze off during treatment!

Are you interested in learning more about the new allergy treatments that might be right for you? Visit our website today to explore our clinic and make your appointment with Covenant Allergy and Asthma. We’re here to help you find relief!