The practice of using an 'allergy service', supported by manufacturers of sublingual immunotherapy, should be discouraged for a number of reasons. There is an obvious conflict of interest when an employee from a commercial firm with an interest in allergy treatment is involved in interpreting allergy tests and discussing treatment. Most allergic diseases can be well controlled with drug therapy, without having to resort to immunotherapy. Finally, no good evidence exists to prove clinically relevant effects of sublingual immunotherapy in children with atopic disease. Until results of well-designed studies become available, sublingual immunotherapy in children should not be used.