Sublingual Immunotherapy / Hayfever Desensitisation
Is Your Child Struggling with Persistent Hayfever Symptoms?
Hayfever — also known as allergic rhinitis — isn’t just a seasonal inconvenience. For many children, it causes daily discomfort that disrupts sleep, schoolwork, and the simple joy of playing outside. When standard treatments like antihistamines, nasal sprays, or eye drops aren’t enough, persistent hayfever can seriously impact their quality of life.
In cases like these, your child might benefit from a longer-term solution such as inhalant allergy immunotherapy/hayfever desensitisation.
Hayfever Symptoms in Children
Children suffering from hayfever may experience:
- Nasal Congestion: Blocked or runny nose, often with persistent sneezing.
- Itchy Eyes, Nose, and Throat: Constant irritation triggered by allergens.
- Watery Eyes: Excessive tear production due to pollen exposure.
- Sneezing: Frequent, uncontrollable sneezing fits.
- Coughing: Brought on by postnasal drip.
- Wheezing or Shortness of Breath: In some cases, worsening existing asthma symptoms.
Symptoms often intensify during high pollen seasons or when exposed to indoor allergens like dust mites, moulds, or pet dander. Left untreated, hayfever can seriously affect a child’s development — causing sleep disturbances, poor concentration, and increasing the risk of asthma and eczema.
Move Beyond Managing Symptoms — Treat the Root Cause
If your child’s hayfever persists despite conventional treatments, sublingual immunotherapy could offer the lasting relief you’ve been searching for.
Unlike standard medicines that only mask symptoms, sublingual immunotherapy is a disease-modifying therapy. By gradually exposing the immune system to controlled doses of the allergen (such as pollen), it retrains the body to tolerate what once triggered severe reactions — reducing the intensity of symptoms and protecting against future flare-ups.
Take the First Step Toward Long-Term Relief
Imagine your child breathing freely, concentrating better at school, and reclaiming the energy and happiness they deserve — all without the relentless worry of allergic reactions.
Contact us to book a consultation today and start building a future with fewer symptoms and more possibilities.
How Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) Reduces Allergies and Helps Prevent Asthma in Children
In our clinic we offer sublingual immunotherapy for a wide range of environmental allergens, including grass and tree pollens, house dust mite, animal danders and moulds. This daily under-the-tongue treatment is very safe, reduces allergic reactions over time, and may even prevent the development of new allergies and asthma.
Our Two SLIT Options: ALK and Oralvac
We provide two SLIT options tailored to your child’s needs:
- ALK Tablets: A licensed dissolvable tablet, suitable from age 5, for grass pollen, birch pollen, and house dust mite.
- Oralvac Drops: A widely used, unlicensed liquid, suitable from age 2, covering a broader range of allergens including tree and weed pollens, animal dander, and mould.
What’s Included in Your Care Package
Every SLIT treatment plan includes:
- A full 3-year course of SLIT medication
- All initiation and symptom-related review appointments
- A Year 2 effectiveness review
- Convenient home delivery of medication
Treatment is started with us in the clinic and then continued at home, with full support throughout your journey.
SLIT Treatment Options at a Glance
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you understand the differences between ALK and Oralvac:
Comparison of ALK and Oralvac Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
| Feature | ALK SLIT (Licensed) | Oralvac SLIT (Unlicensed) |
|---|---|---|
| Formulation | Dispersible tablet | Daily oral drops |
| Age suitability | From 5 years | From 2 years |
| Allergens treated | Grass pollen, birch (tree) pollen, house dust mite | Grass pollen, birch/alder/hazel/olive/plane tree pollen, mugwort weed, cat, dog, horse, Alternaria mould |
| Dosing duration | 12 months/year (even for seasonal allergens) | 12 months/year for perennial allergens 7–8 months/year for seasonal allergens |
| Initiation | One in-person visit to start | Two in-person visits for titration and maintenance dose |
| Storage requirements | No refrigeration needed Stable at room temperature |
Store in refrigerator long-term Each vial can be kept at room temperature for up to 10 weeks |
| Breakability | Tablet is durable and does not break | Vials are glass and may break if dropped |
| Tolerability | Effective, but may cause more mouth symptoms (e.g., tingling or itching) | Anecdotally fewer local allergic reactions |
| Convenience for travel | Ideal for travel—no cold storage required | Travel-friendly (up to 10 weeks without refrigeration) |
| Home delivery included | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Cost per allergen | Year 1: £2,586.33 Year 2: £2,176.33 Year 3: £1,896.33 |
Perennial Allergens: Year 1: £2,457.50 Year 2: £1,917.50 Year 3: £1,637.50 Seasonal Allergens: |
| Effectiveness review | ✅ Included in Year 2 | ✅ Included in Year 2 |
| Initial symptom-related reviews | ✅ Included if allergic symptoms occur | ✅ Included if allergic symptoms occur |
SLIT FAQs for Parents
Diagnosis and Allergy Tests
Before starting sublingual immunotherapy / hayfever desensitisation, it is crucial to identify the specific allergens causing a child’s symptoms. At our clinic, we offer a comprehensive package of allergy tests, including skin prick tests and blood tests. Allergy diagnosis pinpoints the allergens responsible for triggering an immune response, enabling us to tailor treatment plans to each child’s needs.
The Benefits of Allergen Immunotherapy
The benefits of allergen immunotherapy go beyond immediate symptom relief. Key advantages include:
- Reduced Allergic Symptoms: By targeting the root cause of allergic reactions, immunotherapy can significantly decrease nasal congestion, sneezing, and other hayfever symptoms.
- Prevention of New Allergies: Immunotherapy for hayfever may prevent children from developing additional environmental allergies or related conditions, such as asthma or eczema.
- Improved Quality of Life: With fewer allergic symptoms, children can enjoy outdoor activities and focus on school and hobbies without the constant discomfort of hayfever.
- Long-Term Effectiveness: Unlike medicines that need to be taken continuously, immunotherapy provides lasting relief even after treatment ends.
Additional Advice for Managing Hayfever
In addition to immunotherapy, parents can take steps to minimise their child’s exposure to allergens and manage allergic symptoms effectively:
- Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons.
- Use air purifiers to reduce indoor allergens like dust mites and moulds.
- Encourage children to wear wrap-around sunglasses outdoors to protect their eyes from pollen.
- Ensure regular cleaning of bedding and soft furnishings to reduce allergen buildup.
- Use of non sedating antihistamines or other allergy treatments with a specialist for additional relief.
We’re With You Every Step of the Way
At Children’s Allergy Doctors, we are dedicated to providing personalised care for children with hayfever and other allergic conditions. Choosing SLIT is a commitment, but one that can transform your child’s quality of life.
Our team is here to support you with tailored treatment plans, ongoing reviews, and convenient medication delivery—giving you confidence at every stage. With our expert guidance, children can find relief from allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, food allergies, and more.
For further information or advice on immunotherapy for hayfever or to book an appointment, please contact us today.
This article was reviewed by Professor Helen Brough, Paediatric Allergy Specialist, specialising in allergies and immunotherapy.
What parents say:
“Verified Google review: Professor Helen Brough, and the immunotherapy prescribed by her had wonderful effects on my son’s dust allergy, reducing significantly if not virtually eliminating he cough. I would highly recommend at least fixing an appointment and discussing the solution at the Clinic. At first a daunting process and seemingly expensive treatment, in the end it is a worthwhile effort with significant long-term benefits on my son’s health and wellbeing. Thank you, Prof Brough. Patrick & Alex”