Sublingual immunotherapy SLIT tablets

PRIVATE  SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY (SLIT) IN ESSEX

Private Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) in Essex

Private Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) At Essex Private Doctors

Could SLIT finally put an end to your allergies?

If hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) season has you dreading spring, or if you’re constantly battling a runny nose, itchy eyes, or year-round sneezing from dust mites or a pet allergy—you’re not alone. But what if I told you there was a way to not just manage those seasonal allergies, but actually reduce or eliminate your allergic response over time?

Let us introduce you to a treatment that could be a game-changer: Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT).

Grass pollen

What is Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?

Allergy is when the body’s immune system erroneously overreacts, producing antibodies and an inflammatory response to something that’s a harmless substance, like pollen.

How a person comes into contact with a particular allergen will often determine the kind of allergic symptom the person may experience. For example. If you inhale tree pollen, or grass pollen, you might experience nasal or respiratory symptoms (e.g. allergic rhinitis- aka hay fever). If you are allergic to shellfish and were to eat prawns, you might experience diarrhoea or stomach pain.

It is possible for any allergen, however, to produce a constellation of symptoms, and some allergic responses can be very severe, causing anaphylaxis. This is a rare condition, which can be life-threatening, and may come on very quickly. It can cause tongue and throat swelling, difficulty breathing, feeling very faint and unwell, and sometimes an itchy, bumpy rash.

Who is Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) ideal for?

SLIT is ideal for children and adults who may have atopic dermatitis /allergic asthma/ allergic rhinitis / allergic rhinoconjunctivitis who’ve not responded well to the usual allergy treatment medications like antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays. It’s most effective when we know exactly the specific allergen you’re allergic to.

At Essex Private Doctors, we offer SLIT for:

🌾 Grass pollen allergy (GRAZAX®)
🤧 House dust mite allergy (ACARIZAX®)
🌳 Tree pollen allergy (ITULAZAX®)

SLIT treatment is not yet available for food allergy or drug allergy conditions, or gluten intolerance problems.


Can Children have Sublingual Immunotherapy?
Here’s how the current options are licensed:

🌾 Grass pollen allergy (GRAZAX®)– from age 5+
🤧 House dust mite allergy (ACARIZAX®)- from age 12+
🌳 Tree pollen allergy (ITULAZAX®) – from age 18+

This means children as young as 5 may be able to benefit, particularly if they’re suffering every summer with severe hay fever and have a confirmed allergy to grass pollen. The medication is a small tablet that dissolves in seconds under the tongue, and it’s injection-free!

man using nasal steroid spray

Benefits of Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) in Essex

You might be thinking, ‘Can’t I just take antihistamines?’
SLIT isn’t a sticking plaster. It’s long-term immune training.

It’s not always possible to avoid pollen or other nasal allergens, and while it’s possible to minimise your exposure to them, SLIT is the only treatment that can actually change the course of allergic disease, with benefits that last for many years after treatment ends.

SLIT can reduce the progression from hay fever to asthma symptoms in children, and even reducing the potential need for medications such as steroids.

Long-term remission has been seen even 10 years post-treatment with SLIT.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) may reduce future sensitisation to other allergens.

Some people have such severe allergies that they require steroids to control their symptoms. Steroids come with a number of serious dangers such as an increased risk of developing diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and immunosuppression. SLIT does not have these risks, and it’s also needle-free, so no need for injections.

Who shouldn’t have Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?

SLIT is very well tolerated by most people. In fact, it’s one of the safest allergy immunotherapy options available.

The most common side effects are:

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is generally extremely safe, but it’s not suitable for everyone.
It should be avoided in people with:

  • Severe or uncontrolled asthma
  • Autoimmune conditions or malignancy
  • Oral infections or ulcers
  • Eosinophilic oesophagitis
  • Use of beta blockers or ACE inhibitors

SLIT isn’t usually started during pregnancy but may be continued if already underway.

What does Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) involve?

Your journey with sublingual immunotherapy begins with a consultation—either in person or via video—with Dr Eleanor Beddoe, our allergy specialist.

During this first step, Dr Beddoe will take time to understand your symptoms, what treatments you’ve tried before, and how your allergies are affecting your day-to-day life. She may recommend blood testing or that you attend for skin prick allergy testing, depending on your history.

If skin prick testing is advised, you’ll attend a 45-minute appointment, where Dr Beddoe will guide you through the test and identify which allergens you’re reacting to. She’ll discuss your results, review your previous treatments, and develop a personalised allergy action plan. If appropriate, she’ll explain how sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) works.

If you decide to go ahead, you’ll attend for an appointment to be given your first dose in a controlled medical setting, where we’ll monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing. You’ll also receive clear advice on what to expect, how to manage side effects (which are rare), and whether you’ll need antihistamines.

Dr Beddoe will personally check in with you a few days later, and your next follow-up will be booked for three months.

Ongoing reviews—either in person or remotely—will continue every six months throughout your three-year treatment course, ensuring you’re supported every step of the way.

Are there any risks or side effects of Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?

SLIT is very well tolerated by most people. In fact, it’s one of the safest allergy immunotherapy options available.

The most common side effects are:

  • Itchy mouth or throat
  • Mild swelling under the tongue
  • Slight tummy discomfort

These tend to appear early and usually settle within 1–2 weeks. Taking an antihistamine daily during the first two weeks can help reduce this initial irritation.
Severe allergic reaction side effects are very rare, and anaphylaxis is extremely rare. Still, we supervise the first dose carefully, just in case.

If you’re still struggling, book an appointment for an allergy consultation.

Sublingual Therapy (SLIT) in Essex – FAQs

SLIT must be taken every day, but we understand life happens. Here’s the simple protocol:

Missed 1–2 days? Just carry on as normal.

Missed more than a week? Get in touch with us before restarting.

Great question. Let’s dig a little deeper into the body’s clinical immunology.

When we’re exposed to allergens through the skin or airways (like pollen in your eyes or nose), the body tends to respond by making IgE antibodies—the ones that cause allergic reactions like sneezing, itching, and swelling.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) works differently. Because the allergen extract is delivered through the gut-associated lymphoid tissue under the tongue, it tends to generate a more tolerant immune response. It triggers the production of regulatory T cells and another type of antibody called IgG. This IgG acts like a “blocker” that gets in the way of the problematic IgE response.

Why does this matter? The mouth and gut are designed to process what we eat and breathe in all day—so the immune system in that area is better at learning tolerance. In contrast, the skin’s immune system is more prone to reacting aggressively.

This is why SLIT tends to promote long-term tolerance far more effectively than just being naturally exposed to your allergens in the environment.

To get the most benefit, start 3–4 months before your main allergy season:

Allergen Type Ideal Start (Essex) Ideal Start (London)
Tree Pollen Sept – Jan Sept – Jan
Grass Pollen Jan – Mar Jan – Mar

Even if you’re mid-season, it’s not too late to begin. You might not notice full results until next season—but SLIT can still make a long-term difference.

Your environment determines which allergens are in the air:

  • Plane trees are more dominant in central London (Camden, Westminster, Southwark).
  • Grass pollen levels spike higher across Essex, especially around Chelmsford, Epping, Braintree and Brentwood.
  • Pollution in London (NOx, PM2.5) binds with pollen to form ultra-irritating particles that can worsen allergic symptoms—particularly in asthmatics.

You might start to feel improvements within the first 3–6 months, especially if you begin the treatment before allergy season starts.

That said, it’s not an overnight fix, and the biggest benefits build up over time. Most patients notice their allergy symptoms become milder and less intrusive as the months go by.

It’s absolutely fine to continue using antihistamines, especially at the start of treatment. In fact, we often recommend doing so while your immune system begins adjusting to the therapy

Ideally, yes—starting a few months before your main allergy season gives the treatment time to work before things kick off.

But don’t worry—you can still start during allergy season if needed. Just be aware that you may not notice much improvement until the following season, and you might need a bit more support from antihistamines or other medications in the meantime.

It’s still well worth starting, especially if you’re already struggling.

Yes, absolutely. Follow-up appointments can be conducted via video, and they often are—especially for our patients who travel from further afield. You don’t need to attend in person unless you’d like to.

Once we’ve assessed you, supervised the first dose in clinic, and made sure you’re confident with the process, the rest is managed very smoothly at home.

The cost of sublingual immunotherapy depends on the type of allergen being treated (e.g. grass, dust mite, or tree pollen), the brand of tablet prescribed, and the duration of treatment.

Typically, you’ll need:

  • Consultations and allergy testing prior to starting SLIT
  • A prescription for the SLIT tablets, which are taken daily for up to three years
  • Periodic follow-up appointments, which can usually be done face-to-face or via video

At Essex Private Doctors, we’ll always give you a clear breakdown of the fees before you begin.

 

Why Choose Us for Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?

As GPs, we see how much allergies interfere with people’s lives—missed school days, disturbed sleep, struggling through important events, or simply avoiding the outdoors.

That’s why we’re passionate about bringing this treatment to our patients.
Dr Eleanor Beddoe is an allergy specialist, trained in allergy therapeutics and the prescribing of allergy medication.

SLIT offers a way to:

  • Take back control of your health
  • Reduce the need for medication
  • Treat the root cause of your allergies
  • Offer your child the chance to live allergy-free

And yes—while the commitment is long (daily for 3 years), the potential payoff is huge: life-changing, lasting relief.