Steps to Allergy Drop Treatment
Once you and your physician have determined you are a candidate for allergy drops, your provider will decide upon one or more allergy tests to identify the allergens affecting you. Based upon your history, physical exam, and test results, a treatment plan including custom-formulated allergy drops using the La Crosse Method™ Protocol will be developed for you. These may include allergy drops for:
Your provider may also suggest environmental changes and symptom-relieving medications, however most people using allergy drops find that their need for medication decreases over time.
Three to six months after receiving your first prescription, your provider may ask you to return for an office visit to check your progress. You may also be retested for certain allergens to determine if you are ready to have your dose adjusted to a higher strength. Patients who consistently take three doses per day tend to respond faster to treatment, and this allows your provider to adjust your dose more quickly.
You will need to continue to visit your provider, typically every three to six months, depending on your progress and the severity of your allergies. Your provider will continue to monitor, adjust and retest your allergies to determine your final treatment length. Most people find their symptoms are relieved in the first few months, however it is important to continue allergy drop treatment for about three to five years in order to develop long-lasting tolerance to your allergens.
To get the most from your treatment, stay with it until your body learns to tolerate what you’re allergic to. This happens long after your symptoms improve.
Allergy drops work in 3 phases:
Phase 1: Initial Oral Tolerance
0-3 months
During this phase, your body adjusts to treatment and symptoms can improve. Those with minor oral itching will see it decrease as tolerance begins.
Phase 2: Symptom Relief
3 months-2 years
As symptoms decrease, your body is taking steps toward changing your allergen tolerance. You might feel tempted to stop your treatment because you feel better, but don’t. By continuing treatment, your body can learn long-term tolerance.
Phase 3: Long-term Tolerance
2-5 years*
As symptoms continue to improve, your body increases its allergy tolerance. This long-term learning is needed for you to stay symptom-free long after treatment is done.
*Depending upon the severity of your allergies, your provider will monitor, adjust, and retest to determine the final length of treatment which varies between patients.