Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternative allergy treatment that enables allergy sufferers to experience relief from symptoms without receiving injections. Patients who undergo SLIT place small amounts of "allergy drops” under their tongues (sublingual) instead of receiving allergy shots in the doctor's office. Placing allergy drops under your tongue decreases your immune system's response to an allergen. Doing this may reduce the allergy symptoms a person is experiencing. The safety of SLIT has been well-documented. Serious and fatal reactions to SLIT have not been reported to date. Some people experience mild side effects, such as an itchy mouth. While allergy shots have the potential to cause dangerous allergic reactions in some patients, the risk of a severe allergic reaction due to SLIT allergy treatment is greatly reduced.

SLIT can be a beneficial form of allergy therapy for a variety of allergy sufferers. Allergy drops can be administered to children as well as adults. A major benefit of SLIT allergy treatment over traditional allergy shots is the ability to administer the drops yourself at home, instead of making regular and numerous trips to the doctor's office for shots. Your response to treatment is monitored by your allergist during follow up visits every few months. After your first year of treatment, you will typically visit your doctor for periodic follow-up visits once every 3 months.

An auricular hematoma is a very common injury found with wrestlers, martial art fighters, and rugby players.  It is a result of direct trauma to the ear causing a shearing force that interrupts the cartilage and the overlying connective tissue known as the perichondrium.  The blood vessels in this region tear creating a blood clot or fluid collection under the skin medically referred to as a hematoma.  If left untreated, it can result in a permanent deformity of the outer ear.  This deformity is commonly known as the cauliflower ear or wrestler’s ear.   To decrease the chances of developing permanent deformity, it is recommended that the hematoma undergo drainage within 7 days of incident.   It is a fairly simple procedure we can perform in the office under local anesthesia.  A small incision is made overlying the hematoma and the blood/fluid is evacuated from under the skin.  A pressure dressing is then sutured into place and remains for roughly 1 week.  The pressure dressing prevents the re-accumulation of blood or fluid to decrease the chances of reformation.  Although, it is often looked at as a badge of honor in the wrestling world, we recommend seeking medical attention.  As always, prevention is the best possible medicine for auricular hematomas.  It is recommended that appropriate fitting headgear is always worn in contact sports despite some of the local common practices.