Sublingual Immunotherapy / Hayfever Desensitisation
Is Your Child a Candidate for Hayfever Desensitisation? 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, hayfever desensitisation can offer a lasting solution. 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, widely known as 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 (a highly effective form of hayfever desensitisation) 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 Hayfever Desensitisation Reduces Allergies and Helps Prevent Asthma in Children
In our clinic we offer sublingual immunotherapy and hayfever desensitisation 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 well tolerated, reduces allergic symptoms over time, and may help prevent the development of new allergies and asthma in some children.
SLIT Treatment Options
We offer personalised SLIT treatment tailored to your child’s specific allergy profile.
Licensed SLIT (ALK tablets)
• A licensed dissolvable tablet
• Suitable from age 5 years
• Available for grass pollen, birch pollen and house dust mite
• Strong evidence base and widely used in clinical practice
💊 Licensed SLIT
- Year 1: £2,586
- Year 2: £2,176
- Year 3: £1,896
👉 Total ≈ £6,650 over 3 years
Individualised SLIT options (unlicensed “specials”)
In some cases, where licensed options are not suitable or do not cover the relevant allergens, individualised sublingual immunotherapy preparations may be considered.
• These are unlicensed medicines (“specials”)
• Prescribed on a named-patient basis
• Used only where there is a clear clinical need
• Require careful specialist supervision
These options will be discussed in detail during your consultation to ensure the safest and most appropriate treatment plan for your child.
What’s Included in Your Care Package
Every SLIT treatment plan includes:
• A full 3-year course of treatment
• All initiation appointments
• Symptom-related review appointments if needed
• A Year 2 effectiveness review
• Convenient home delivery of medication
Treatment is started in clinic and then continued at home, with full support throughout your child’s treatment journey.
Choosing the Right Treatment
The most appropriate SLIT option depends on:
• Your child’s age
• The specific allergens involved
• Their clinical history and symptom pattern
We will guide you through the options during your consultation to ensure a safe, effective, and personalised treatment plan.
Important Information
Some treatments described may involve the use of unlicensed medicines (“specials”). These are prescribed only when clinically appropriate and where no suitable licensed alternative is available, in accordance with MHRA guidance.
SLIT and Hayfever Desensitisation FAQs for Parents
How effective is it?
Sublingual immunotherapy (hayfever desensitisation) for hay fever is highly effective, it can cut allergy symptoms and the need for medicines by up to 50%, and reduces the risk of developing asthma by about 50%. After two years of treatment, most children only need occasional antihistamines, and many with allergic asthma can lower their inhaled steroid dose or even stop it completely. It is also the only treatment that offers long-term benefit even after stopping therapy.
Is it safe?
Yes. SLIT has an excellent safety record when given under specialist care. Side effects, if they occur, are usually mild—such as slight itching under the tongue or minor redness at the injection site. Serious reactions are rare, but starting treatment in a clinical setting ensures your child’s safety.
What if we miss a dose?
Simply resume with the next dose—no need to double up. If multiple doses are missed, we’ll guide you on safely restarting.
Can it be taken alongside other medications?
Yes, SLIT is compatible with most medications. Always inform us about anything your child is taking.
Can my child use more than one SLIT product?
Yes—just space doses five minutes apart.
Is SLIT covered by insurance?
Most UK insurance plans do not cover treatment (only diagnosis). Please check with your provider.
Diagnosis and Allergy Tests for Hayfever Desensitisation
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 Hayfever Desensitisation
The benefits of hayfever desensitisation 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 webpage 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”