Personalised Care for Lasting Relief from Allergies
Living with allergies to environmental triggers like dust mites, cat dander, or dog dander significantly affects quality of life. At CENTAS, we offer safe and effective sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tailored to manage these allergies long-term — without the need for regular injections.
What is Sublingual Immunotherapy?
SLIT is a modern treatment designed to gradually reduce or eliminate the body's allergic response to specific environmental allergens. The therapy involves placing small, controlled amounts of the allergen under the tongue for 2 to 5 minutes — typically once a day — so the immune system learns to tolerate rather than overreact to it.
SLIT is currently used to manage:
- Dust mites — by far the most common indoor allergen in Singapore
- Cat dander
- Dog dander
This personalised approach has transformed life for many patients with stubborn allergic rhinitis, persistent nasal congestion, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic asthma.
How Sublingual Immunotherapy Works
The principle is simple: train the immune system to recognise the allergen as safe. A small daily dose under the tongue progressively shifts the immune response away from IgE-mediated inflammation toward immune tolerance. Over months, allergic reactions become less severe and less frequent. Unlike antihistamines and nasal sprays — which suppress symptoms only — SLIT addresses the underlying allergic disease.
Benefits of SLIT
- Needle-free — daily tablet or drops under the tongue, taken at home after the first supervised dose
- Lasting results — clinical benefit often persists after the 3-year treatment course ends
- Improved quality of life — better sleep, fewer flare-ups, reduced reliance on antihistamines and nasal sprays
- Better disease control — particularly useful for patients whose dust mite allergy drives recurrent sinusitis or polyposis
- Family-friendly — suitable for older children and adolescents in many cases
Who Can Benefit from SLIT?
- Adults and children who meet the eligibility criteria (after specialist assessment)
- Patients with dust mite, cat, or dog allergy confirmed by skin prick or specific IgE testing
- Anyone seeking long-term relief rather than indefinite daily medication
- Patients with recurrent allergic rhinitis, poorly controlled allergic asthma with a known airborne allergen, or chronic sinusitis driven by allergy
Dr Pang conducts a thorough evaluation — medical history, allergy testing results, severity, and overall health — to confirm SLIT is the right fit for you.
Our Expertise
- Expert-led care — Dr Pang has a subspecialty interest in allergy and over 20 years of ENT practice
- Personalised treatment plans — every regimen is tailored to your allergy profile, lifestyle, and goals
- Combined airway + allergy approach — treating dust mite allergy can also reduce sinus recurrence and improve sleep quality
The SLIT Process
- Comprehensive consultation — review of medical history, allergy symptoms, and goals to confirm SLIT is right for you
- Allergy testing — skin prick test or specific IgE blood test to identify the exact allergen(s) and your baseline sensitivity
- First dose under supervision — taken in the clinic so any early reaction is observed and managed
- Maintenance phase — daily dose at home, with periodic follow-up to track progress and adjust as needed
Modern SLIT regimens often skip the prolonged dose-escalation phase altogether — patients start at the maintenance dose on day one, which improves compliance and reaches symptom benefit sooner.
Why this matters in Singapore. Year-round dust mite exposure is essentially universal in our tropical climate, making allergen avoidance almost impossible. SLIT is one of the few treatments that meaningfully changes the disease itself — and at CENTAS, it's often integrated with sinus and snoring care for patients whose allergy drives multiple problems at once.
Safety and Risks
SLIT is safe under specialist supervision. Common, mild side effects in the first weeks include:
- Itching or tingling under the tongue
- Mild throat irritation
- Occasional stomach discomfort
These usually settle on their own as your body adapts. The first dose is always taken in the clinic so any reaction can be observed. Severe systemic reactions are rare. Patients with poorly controlled asthma or recent oral wounds may need to delay treatment — Dr Pang will discuss any precautions during your consultation.
Why Choose CENTAS for SLIT?
- Experienced specialists — Dr Pang has practised allergy management across the UK, US, and Singapore
- State-of-the-art facilities at Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Orchard Road
- Comprehensive support from the first consultation through every follow-up
- Patient-centric approach — treatments tailored to your lifestyle and the way the rest of your ENT health needs to be managed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sublingual immunotherapy safe for children?
How long does SLIT take?
Will SLIT cure my allergy?
Are there any risks or side effects?
Can I eat or drink normally after SLIT?
How is SLIT different from allergy shots (SCIT)?
Related Conditions
Allergy Immunotherapy Overview
SCIT vs SLIT, testing, and what to expect across the full 3-year course.
Dust Mite Allergy
The most common SLIT indication in Singapore — and why avoidance alone isn't enough.
Allergic Rhinitis
The underlying condition SLIT is most often used to control.
Sinusitis
Treating dust mite allergy reduces sinus recurrence and polyp regrowth.
Book an Appointment
Considering SLIT? Get a clear assessment and a personalised plan.
Bring any prior allergy test results, medication history, and questions. Dr Pang will confirm whether you're a candidate, arrange any further testing, and walk you through the full SLIT course.
3 Mount Elizabeth, #16-11, Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510