Key Takeaways
Food allergy drops are being studied to help the body become less sensitive to certain food allergens.
Food allergy drops are not a cure. Patients must still avoid foods that trigger reactions and follow their allergy care plan.
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are possible, so medical supervision is essential.
An allergist can review your allergy history and test results to help find the right treatment approach for you.
What Are Food Allergy Drops?
Food allergy drops are a form of immunotherapy that involves placing carefully measured amounts of food allergen under the tongue. The goal is to help the immune system become less sensitive to that allergen over time.
Unlike medications that manage allergy symptoms, immunotherapy aims to change how the immune system responds to an allergen.
Are Food Allergy Drops FDA Approved?
No. There are currently no FDA-approved sublingual immunotherapy products for food allergies.
Although researchers are studying food allergy drops, patients should understand that these treatments are different from FDA-approved food allergy therapies.
An allergist can explain the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of food allergy drops and help you explore other treatment options.
Never start food allergy drops on your own or purchase them from unregulated sources.
Food Allergy Drops vs. Environmental Allergy Drops
Both treatments involve placing allergens under the tongue, but they target different types of allergies and carry different safety considerations.
Although both approaches involve immunotherapy, they are not interchangeable. An allergist can explain which treatments are appropriate for your specific allergies.
How Do Food Allergy Drops Work?
Before discussing food allergy drops or other treatment options, your allergist will evaluate your allergy history, symptoms, and overall health.
1. Food Allergy Evaluation
Your allergist reviews your symptoms, suspected food triggers, previous allergic reactions, medical history, and treatment goals.
2. Allergy Testing
Skin or blood tests may help identify possible food allergens. Your allergist reviews these results alongside your medical history because a positive test does not always mean you have a food allergy.
3. Personalized Treatment Discussion
Your allergist discusses available treatment options, including whether food allergy drops may be appropriate. You'll also learn about potential benefits, risks, and safety precautions.
4. Ongoing Monitoring
If food allergy drops are considered, careful monitoring and follow-up are essential. Your allergist will explain how to recognize allergic reactions and what to do if symptoms occur.
Who May Be a Candidate for Food Allergy Drops?
Whether food allergy drops are appropriate depends on your individual allergy history and risk factors.
Factors your allergist may consider include:
- Your specific food allergy and previous reactions
- Allergy testing results
- Age and overall health
- Ability to follow treatment instructions
- Risk of severe allergic reactions
- Ability to attend follow-up appointments
Your allergist can help determine whether food allergy drops, oral immunotherapy, or another management approach may be appropriate.
Food Allergy Drops for Children
For parents of children with food allergies, finding safe ways to manage allergic reactions is especially important.
Food allergy drops have been studied in children, but they are not appropriate for every child.
An allergist will consider your child's age, allergy history, previous reactions, test results, and overall health before discussing treatment options.
Parents and caregivers should also understand potential side effects, safety precautions, and what to do in an emergency.
Are Food Allergy Drops Safe?
Food allergy drops can cause allergic reactions, so medical supervision is essential.
Possible side effects include:
- Itching or irritation in the mouth or throat
- Tingling or swelling of the lips or tongue
- Stomach discomfort
- Other allergic reactions
In some cases, severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur.
An allergist can explain the risks, recommend appropriate precautions, and determine whether you need an epinephrine auto-injector.
What Food Allergies Can Drops Treat?
Researchers have studied food allergy drops for certain allergens, but their effectiveness and safety can vary.
Common food allergens include:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Sesame
Not every food allergy can or should be treated with food allergy drops.
Your allergist can help you understand which treatment options have supported evidence for your specific allergy.
Food Allergy Drops Are Not a Cure
Even if food allergy drops help reduce sensitivity to an allergen, they do not cure food allergies or guarantee protection against reactions. You may still need to:
- Avoid foods that trigger allergic reactions
- Read food labels carefully
- Carry epinephrine when prescribed
- Follow your food allergy action plan
- Attend regular appointments with your allergist
Never begin eating a food you're allergic to without specific guidance from your allergist.
Food Allergy Drops vs. Other Food Allergy Treatment Options
Food allergy management depends on your specific allergies, symptoms, and risk factors. Your allergist may discuss options such as:
- Allergen avoidance: Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger reactions.
- Emergency preparedness: Creating an allergy action plan and carrying prescribed epinephrine when appropriate.
- Oral food challenges: Supervised testing to help confirm or reassess a food allergy.
- Oral immunotherapy: Treatment involving controlled amounts of allergen under medical supervision.
- Food allergy drops: An investigational approach being studied for select food allergies.
Your allergist can explain which options are appropriate for your individual needs.
Find Out if Food Allergy Drops Are Right for You
A CLS Health allergist can review your allergy history, explain available treatments, and help you understand your options.
Why Choose CLS Health for Food Allergy Drops?
At CLS Health, our allergists provide personalized care to help children and adults better understand and manage their allergies.
Our allergy care includes:
- Board-certified allergists and immunologists
- Comprehensive food allergy evaluations and testing
- Personalized treatment recommendations
- Guidance on food and environmental allergy management
- Safety planning and emergency preparedness
- Ongoing monitoring and follow-up
- Convenient locations throughout Greater Houston
As a physician-led, multispecialty medical group, CLS Health can also help coordinate care with other specialties when needed.
Meet Jonathon Schening, MD
Jonathon Schening, MD, is a board-certified allergist and immunologist who provides personalized allergy care for children and adults.
He is also board-certified in pediatrics and completed fellowship training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital.
Dr. Schening takes an evidence-based approach to allergy care, helping patients understand their allergies and develop treatment plans based on their individual needs.
He sees patients at CLS Health Allergy & Immunology locations in Clear Lake and Houston Galleria.
Food Allergy Drops in Greater Houston
CLS Health provides allergy evaluations and treatment guidance for patients throughout Greater Houston.
Webster
CLS Health Allergy & Immunology — Clear Lake
Serving patients in Webster, Clear Lake, League City, Friendswood, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, and surrounding communities.
Uptown Houston
CLS Health Allergy & Immunology — Houston Galleria
Serving patients in Houston, West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, Greenway Plaza, and surrounding communities.
Houston Heights
CLS Health Allergy & Immunology — Greater Heights
Serving patients in Greater Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, The Heights, North Houston, and surrounding communities.
Cypress
CLS Health Allergy & Immunology — North Cypress
Serving patients in Cypress, Towne Lake, Bridgeland, Fairfield, Jersey Village, Copperfield, and surrounding communities.
FAQs
No. There are currently no FDA-approved sublingual immunotherapy products for food allergies. An allergist can explain available treatments, potential risks, and alternatives.
No. Food allergy drops are not a cure. Patients must continue avoiding foods that trigger allergic reactions unless their allergist specifically advises otherwise.
Food allergy drops can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. They should only be considered under the guidance of a qualified allergist.
Food allergy drops have been studied in children, but they are not appropriate for everyone. An allergist can evaluate your child's allergy history, age, and overall health to discuss available options.
Food allergy drops are placed under the tongue, while allergy shots are injections commonly used to treat environmental allergies. The treatments have different uses and safety considerations.
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Because food allergy drops are not FDA-approved for food allergies, coverage may be limited. Contact your insurance company and CLS Health to discuss potential costs.
Schedule a Food Allergy Consultation in Houston
Managing food allergies can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.
At CLS Health, our allergists can help identify your food allergy triggers, evaluate your risk factors, and discuss treatment options tailored to your needs.
Whether you're curious about food allergy drops or looking for ways to manage allergic reactions, our team is here to help.
Book with Dr. Schening
Allergy and Immunology