How three little drops changed a four-year-old's life
Photo Courtesy: Amanda McCarty
Amanda McCarty knew something wasn’t right.
Her one-year-old son, Reid, was sick all the time. Runny nose, congestion, ear infections and watery eyes made them frequent visitors to their pediatrician’s office. Amanda made an appointment with Texan Allergy & Sinus Center after hearing a radio ad that caught her attention. A comprehensive allergy test showed that Reid was allergic to a number of pollens: grass, molds, mountain cedar, pine and other trees, even cats and rabbits. It explained why her son felt miserable every time he played outdoors. His multiple allergies also affected his ability play his favorite sport of golf with his dad, who played in college.
“We would give Reid Benadryl every day,” says Amanda, who grew weary of seeing her son suffer so much. So she chose a treatment option that would eventually give her young son his life back.
Reid, who was then two years old, began taking allergy drops under the tongue, several times a day. The treatment is called sublingual immunotherapy and over time, the drops will boost a person’s tolerance to their allergy or allergies. Amanda also liked the fact that she could administer the drops to him at home, unlike allergy shots. It’s why board-certified Otolaryngologist Dr. Chris Thompson, founder of Texan Allergy & Sinus Center, introduced the treatment to his practice in 2011.
“We found our stride as a company when we began treating patients with allergy drops,” says Dr. Thompson. “We wanted to give those with severe allergies an option that didn’t include weekly visits for injections.”
Amanda couldn’t believe her son’s reaction.
“All of a sudden, after about two months on the drops, he wasn’t sick anymore,” says McCarty. “It was the most amazing thing.”
Reid had so much success with the allergy drops that about six months ago, Amanda didn’t hesitate to introduce Reid’s younger sister, who has similar allergies, to the drops.
“Allergy drops have been used for many years,” says Dr. Thompson. “There is a large amount of scientific evidence over the last several decades with concludes that sublingual immunotherapy is both safe and effective.”
In 2011, Cochrane Reviews, a well-respected organization that performs systematic health care reviews conducted 42 trials with 3,958 participants who had allergies. The remarkable results showed that sublingual immunotherapy reduces allergy symptoms.
“Our growth over the last five years is no coincidence,” says Dr. Thompson, who’s company has expanded to include 19 clinics across Texas. “Our patients have responded remarkably well to this treatment option.”
According to experts, infants as young as four months old have shown success with allergy drops. Once a patient’s allergies have been identified, the drops are manufactured at Texan Allergy’s Austin headquarters, which help make the treatment more affordable for patients.
“It’s so easy,” says Amanda, “I carry the drops with me.” The treatment has allowed now four-year-old Reid, to be a kid again. Things he couldn’t do before, like going to the deer lease with his dad, are all possible. “I’m amazed at what three little drops can do.”