Breathe Freely
How to Take Your Allergy Drops
Taking allergy drops is super easy. Just place the prescribed number of drops beneath your tongue, wait for two minutes, and swallow!
If you’re about to start your allergy drop journey, you probably have plenty of pressing questions. What’s the best way to take my allergy drops? How can I make sure to remember each dose? How long does it take for drops to start working?
All fantastic questions — and the allergy specialists at Quello are here to help. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about taking your allergy drops so that you can conquer your allergies with confidence.
Tips for Taking Allergy Drops
As you can imagine, allergy drops work best when they’re taken consistently. To that end, here are a few insider tips to make your path to allergy-free living as smooth as possible.
- Work your drops into your daily routine. Do you brush your hair every morning? Listen to a podcast while your coffee heats up? Wash your face before bed? Administer your daily dose beforehand — you’ll be surprised by how fast those two minutes go by.
- Store your drops somewhere noticeable. It’s easy to slip your vial into your nightstand and forget about it for a few days. Instead, make sure to put it on your bathroom counter or bedside table so that you never miss a dose.
- Don’t eat or drink right after taking your drops. Your drops need a few minutes to interact with specialized cells in your immune system. After administering your drops, wait about 10 minutes before eating or drinking.
- Be patient! Allergy drops work by gradually building up your body’s tolerance to specific allergens. As wonderful as allergy drops may be, they aren’t an overnight cure! Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms after a few months of consistent treatment.
Sublingual Allergy Drops vs. Allergy Shots
In some ways, allergy drops (also known as sublingual immunotherapy) and shots are very similar: they’re both made from the same basic materials, and they both work by introducing small amounts of allergens into your body to help build up your immune system and reduce allergy symptoms. That said, there are some important differences between the two that you should keep in mind!
| Allergy Drops | Allergy Shots |
|---|---|
| Taken At Home | Given In-Person At A Clinic |
| Administered Daily | Typically, Administered Weekly During The Buildup Phase And Monthly During The Maintenance Phase |
| Placed Under The Tongue | Injected (Usually In The Upper Arm) |
| Sometimes Covered By Insurance | Usually Covered By Insurance |
Benefits of Allergy Drops
There’s a reason (in fact, many reasons!) that allergy drops are growing in popularity! Though this treatment has been used in Europe for decades, it’s only recently gained momentum in the USA.
When you opt for drops instead of shots, you enjoy some key benefits:
- Allergy drops are ultra-convenient. Nobody likes sitting next to a stack of stale magazines in a clinic waiting room. For many people, treating allergies from the comfort of their own home is a life-saver.
- At-home testing has fewer side effects. Providers like Quello use simple blood testing, which requires a single finger prick and rarely causes an allergic reaction. Clinic tests are far more likely to make your symptoms spike and usually include more than one prick.
- Allergy drops protect your free time. Driving to the clinic, sitting in the lobby, getting shots, waiting to make sure there are no adverse reactions — talk about wasted time! Allergy drops spare you the hassle of scheduling weekly shot appointments and commuting to the clinic, so you can cut back on travel expenses as well.
- Many drop providers offer 24/7 online support. To discuss your allergy treatment with your doctor, you usually have to make an appointment (which can take days or even weeks). Quello’s allergy specialists are available to answer questions anytime.
Are Allergy Drops Right for You?
If you’re still on the fence about allergy drops, our team at Quello is here to help. Before you commit to either option, ask yourself these questions:
- How open is my schedule? If you can barely find a free moment during the week, it’ll be tough to schedule weekly allergy shot appointments.
- What insurance do I have? Though allergy shots are expensive to produce, they’re often covered by insurance. In many cases, allergy drops cost less money — but not always! If you have questions about insurance and allergy drops, contact our team at Quello and we’ll be happy to help.
- Do I prefer virtual support or in-person conversations? Online support is quick and convenient. For some folks, though, a face-to-face discussion is the best way to get on the same page with their provider.
- Am I good at keeping my routines? Allergy drops work best when they're taken consistently. If you’re a pro at establishing routines, they could be an awesome fit for you.
Overcome Your Allergies At Home With Quello
Allergies alone are frustrating enough. We get that. And that’s why we’re dedicated to making allergy treatment a breeze.
Getting started with Quello’s allergy drops is this easy:
- Complete your blood sample test in the comfort of your own home.
- Send it our way, and we’ll create personalized allergy drops just for you.
- Take your drops daily — then celebrate as your allergies gradually disappear.
FAQs
What time of day should I take allergy drops?
Unless you have special instructions from your provider, you can take allergy drops at any time of day. Just try to take them at the same time each day!
Can I take allergy drops on an empty stomach?
Yes! Allergy drops are safe and effective, even on an empty stomach.
How long do I have to wait to eat or drink after taking allergy drops?
We recommend that you wait at least 10 minutes before eating or drinking. This ensures that the drops are fully absorbed by the sublingual mucosa — the area underneath your tongue — without being washed away.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, simply take your drops at the normal time the next day. Don’t take double doses in a single day! If you are exposed to a greater dose of allergens than intended, you could have a serious reaction to the allergy drops.
How long does it take allergy drops to work?
Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms within the first few months. By the time a year has passed, allergy drops will begin to prevent allergies from happening in the first place! While the average length of allergy drop treatment is four years, many patients take drops for a longer or shorter time period.
How do allergy drops taste?
Because allergy drops have a glycerin base, they’ll taste slightly sweet.
What if my bottle of serum isn’t empty when I receive my new bottle?
Start your new bottle as soon as you receive it — even if the old bottle isn’t empty! Taking your drops exactly as prescribed is the best way to build a long-term tolerance.
Overcome your allergies at home with our doctor-led therapy.
Get started with our free allergy test kitGet Started with no test needed.
Overcome your allergies at home with our doctor-led therapy.
Get started with our free allergy test kitGet Started with no test needed.