Sublingual Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis

摘要

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the U.S. is significant, and the aeromedical risks to the airman with disease are many. Initial management usually includes the use of anti-histamines and topical nasal steroids, yet many still remain poorly controlled with persistent symptoms despite aggressive pharmacotherapy. Immunotherapy is warranted in many of these cases, and it remains the only treatment modality known to alter the underlying disease cascade. Instead of allergy shots, a relatively new modality is sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which entails the delivery of allergen extracts under the tongue. SLIT has been demonstrated to reduce allergic symptoms and lower the use of medication for disease management.