Allergy: diagnosis and treatment
Charlottenlund Private Hospital offers allergy assessment and treatment. The treatment is basically carried out as a home treatment, which is managed from here by a nurse with whom you are in close contact throughout the process.
About allergy vaccination - SLIT
Allergy immunotherapy can now be performed entirely without the need for needles or injections. Today, many common allergies are treated using Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT).
Allergy vaccination as tablet treatment (sublingual):
It is currently possible to receive tablet-based immunotherapy for birch pollen, grass pollen, and house dust mites.
The dissolving tablet is placed under the tongue and must be taken once a day for three years. It is crucial that you remember to take the medication every single day. The very first dose must ALWAYS be taken in our clinic. Side effects are typically mild and localized to the mouth - most commonly temporary itching, irritation, or minor swelling. In rare cases, severe swelling of the mouth and throat can occur after the first dose, requiring immediate medical attention. This is why your initial treatment must take place under our professional supervision.
How a treatment proceeds:
Once we have conducted tests to identify your specific allergens, we can begin treatment with the dissolving tablets.
The goal of allergy immunotherapy (SLIT) is to significantly reduce your allergy symptoms and decrease your reliance on daily allergy medications. Please note that we do not initiate this treatment during peak pollen seasons or if you are pregnant.
Purchase of vaccine
Once we have agreed on a treatment plan and a start date, we will issue your prescription. You will need to purchase the medication at a pharmacy and bring it with you to your first appointment.
Typically, we prescribe a small starter dose to ensure you tolerate the medication well before writing a prescription for larger quantities. The cost is approximately DKK 10,000 per year, of which the Danish public health insurance (Regionen) covers about DKK 7,000.
We will carefully evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment after your first year or first pollen season. The treatment will be discontinued if it does not have the desired effect or if you experience unacceptable side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of allergies to birch, grass and house dust mites?
Symptoms typically include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, cough and in some cases asthma. Symptoms occur seasonally with birch and grass, while house dust mite allergies often cause year-round symptoms.
How are these allergies diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made through a combination of medical history, skin prick test and/or blood test (specific IgE antibodies), which can show whether the body reacts to birch pollen, grass pollen or house dust mites.
What is SLIT treatment and how does it work?
SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) is a form of allergy vaccination where a small dose of the allergen is taken under the tongue daily. The treatment "trains" the immune system to tolerate the substance better and can reduce symptoms and the need for medication in the long term.
How long does SLIT treatment take and who can get it?
SLIT is usually given for 3 years and should be started outside the pollen season. It can be given to both children and adults with documented allergies and severe symptoms that are not well controlled with regular medication.
Are there side effects to SLIT, and is the treatment safe?
Most side effects are mild and occur locally in the mouth, such as itching or irritation. Serious side effects are very rare. The treatment is well documented and is generally considered safe.
