Allergy Skin Testing & Treatment

For millions of Canadians, trees in bud, lawns turning green, and rolling fields present a classic good news/bad news scenario. The long, cold slog of winter—and all the sniffling and sneezing brought on by a never-ending string of colds passing through the office or the kids’ school—is over. But now, it’s being replaced by sniffling and sneezing triggered by trees and grasses coaxed back to life by milder weather.

More than one in six Canadians suffer from hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis. Depending on individual sensitivities, allergy season can start in early spring and last until the first killing frost of autumn. In some parts of the country, symptoms can persist from March to November. Don’t let this impact your ability to enjoy the wonders of being outdoors.

At Integrated Health Clinic, we offer focused environmental allergy testing specific to the identification of:

• Tree pollen allergies – birch, oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder
• Weed pollen allergies – ragweed, sagebrush, redroot pigweed, lamb’s quarters, Russian thistle, English plantain
• Grass pollen allergies – timothy grass, Kentucky bluegrass, red top grass, orchard grass, Johnson grass
• Animal dander – cat and dog
• Dust mites – Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae
• Molds – Alternaria and Cladosporium

Integrated Health Clinic uses both skin and blood testing to identify the substances causing your allergy symptoms. Testing involves applying an extract of an allergen to your skin, scratching or pricking the skin to allow exposure, and then evaluating the skin’s reaction over a specified period. Once allergens are identified, focused treatments can follow to help you manage allergy season.

What is Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)?

Subcutaneous immunotherapy injections, or “allergy shots,” use controlled exposure to known allergens to reduce the severity of allergic disease. They are prescribed for patients with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or allergic conjunctivitis caused by environmental allergies. SCIT may be considered for individuals who have moderate or severe symptoms not adequately controlled by environmental control measures and/or medications. Immunotherapy is the only medical treatment that can potentially modify allergic disease. Some studies have shown it may even prevent asthma from developing in children with allergic rhinitis.

How Does SCIT Work?

A small amount of an allergen extract is injected into the skin of the arm. SCIT can “turn down” allergic reactions to common allergens, including pollens, animal dander, dust mites, and molds. In most cases, SCIT gradually decreases sensitivity to airborne allergens, with continued injections leading to further improvement. Symptom relief can last as long as three to five years, depending on individual response.

What are the Advantages of SCIT Allergy Shots?

SCIT offers many benefits, including:

• Proven effectiveness through placebo-controlled studies
• Prevention of allergic disease progression and potential avoidance of allergic asthma
• Reduced need for allergy medications and their associated adverse effects
• Lower long-term costs compared to ongoing allergy medications

What is Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)?

SLIT uses an allergen solution administered under the tongue to treat specific allergies. Over the course of treatment, SLIT increases immunity or tolerance to allergens, reducing sensitivity and symptoms.

How Does SLIT Work?

SLIT targets underlying allergic sensitivity, with symptoms improving as sensitivity decreases. It is a safe and effective way to treat allergies at their root and may modify the natural progression of allergic disease. Sometimes referred to as “the Allergic March,” this progression can start with food allergies and eczema in young children and lead to allergic rhinitis and asthma later in life.

What are the Advantages of SLIT Allergy Drops?

Compounded SLIT reduces allergy symptoms by addressing the cause of allergies. Benefits include:

• Excellent safety and efficacy profile
• Easy compliance with once-daily dosing
• Reduced time spent on physician visits
• Broader applicability for a variety of allergies
• Reduced need for additional allergy medications
• A great alternative for individuals who are reluctant or unable to undergo SCIT allergy shots

Enjoy the Freedom to Breathe!

We encourage you to visit Integrated Health Clinic to meet with Dr. Hillary Godin, ND, and learn more about allergy testing and treatments.