FAQS – My Safe Drops Dev

Who is MySafeDrops?

At My SafeDrops our program is grounded in safety, accessibility, and education. We prioritize intentional care and support. Holding our treatments to the highest standards of safety and quality we aim to give food allergic families an added layer of protection when it comes to accidental exposures. We believe information is power so by including an educational component to our online food allergy drops program we aim to empower food allergic individuals to take back control of their lives and their health by being informed advocates for themselves on their health journey.

How Do Food Allergy Drops Work?

Sublingual Immunotherapy or Food Allergy Drops work by desensitizing you to your allergen by introducing small amounts of allergen over time. This retrains the immune system to be less reactive in response to your allergen. Drops are held under the tongue for 2 min daily.
Our drops are mixed with the highest standards of quality and are checked for appropriate concentrations using a process called mass spectrometry that tells us the exact protein content in each vial. This allows us to gradually increase the concentration of allergen over time.
Food Allergy SLIT is safe and has been shown to cause immunological changes but it is not a cure. The goal of treatment is to raise the threshold of allergen that will trigger anaphylaxis so that in the case of an accidental exposure, life threatening reactions are minimized. These immunological changes take time.

Who is Eigible?

We are proud to serve the state of Texas with their peanut and tree nut allergy needs. Ideal candidates for My Safe Drops live in the state of Texas, and are at least 3 years old.
If you have asthma or eczema it should be well controlled in order to qualify for this program.

What Food Allergies Do You Treat?

We are currently only treating peanut, almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, pistachios, and pecans. We hope to expand to other common food allergies soon!

Are Allergy Drops Safe?

Yes! Sublingual Immunotherapy has been shown to be very safe. While it is introducing some amount of allergen it is at such low concentrations that it should not trigger a life threatening reaction. Studies have shown that only 1 in every 12,000 doses will result in moderate reactions and the need for epinephrine after dosing is incredibly rare.
However, your safety is our number one priority. So our providers will carefully evaluate who is an ideal candidate for MySafeDrops before you begin and a dedicated health coach will monitor you at your first dose as well as every dose increase to ensure you do not have any adverse reactions.

Are There Side Effects?

The most common side effect is an itchy mouth or throat upon starting treatment but this usually resolves on its own after a few days of treatment.

What is Bite Proof Protection?

Bite Proof Protection means that an accidental bite of something containing your allergen will not trigger a life threatening allergic reaction. It does not mean that you can eat peanuts but rather it is an extra layer of protection for when life happens.

How Long Does It Take To Reach Bite Proof Status?

Changing your immune system takes time and consistency. Everyone is different so there is no one size fits all answer to when you will be considered bite proof but typically it takes 4 months of build up and 18 months on maintenance to reach bite proof status. If you would like confirmation that you or your child have reached this level of protection, reach out to your local allergist to ask about a food challenge where the allergist will monitor you in office after eating a peanut to prove that you can tolerate it.

What Do The Drops Taste Like?

Sweet. The drops are diluted using glycerin – a sugar alcohol commonly used to sweeten, preserve or thicken foods, skincare, or medications.

What If I Miss My Dose?

Life happens, immunologic changes take time and consistency but missing a dose here or there won’t ruin your progress. Just pick back up where you fell off. Don’t try to make up for missed doses as this could cause a reaction. If you miss more than 3 days in a row, reach out to your health coach and they can help you get back on track in no time!

Do You Accept Insurance?

No. Unfortunately we do not currently accept any form of health insurance to cover the costs of the program. However, we can set you up with a payment plan to help lower the burden of the upfront cost of treatment.

Do I Need An EpiPen?

Yes! There is always risk involved when knowingly introducing an allergen to your system. While reactions are rare they are not impossible. It is important to have your epinephrine on hand when dosing. You can also have a liquid antihistamine on hand to treat moderate symptoms.
If you do not already have an epinephrine prescription we can prescribe one for you. You will be required to show your epinephrine device and confirm it is still in date at every dosing appointment with your health coach.

What Is The Education Component Like?

Not only does the MySafeDrops treatment come with personalized support from your dedicated health coach but we have also designed a 6 module educational content that you will have access to directly in the EMR. The modules cover topics such as immune system overview, a deep dive on how allergies occur, and an insider look into where food allergy research is headed. We designed the educational component to give you the information you need to make informed decisions and advocate for your own health. There is no test, just the power that comes with being informed.

How Does Allergy Testing Work?

We connect you to a local blood draw station to confirm your allergy, your results are reviewed by the board certified allergist and your health coach will review your results with you, before you get started.