Oral Immunotherapy
Oral immunotherapy is a long term protocol that can help build tolerance to small amounts of the food over time and reduce the risk for severe allergic reaction. We offer oral immunotherapy for infants at the time of initial diagnosis as a way to potentially alter their progression over time. We also offer oral immunotherapy for older children and adolescents as a way to decrease risk from accidental ingestion.
Our center offers oral immunotherapy and will happily discuss with all families who are interested. We believe in shared decision making and will provide important information regarding what the protocol entails, risks associated with the treatment or missed doses, expected outcomes and goals of treatment.
Threshold food challenges prior to starting oral immunotherapy are extremely valuable, as there are some children who are no longer allergic and can avoid oral immunotherapy all together. Others may not experience any reaction, or only a mild reaction after eating an amount of food that is well above trace amounts. For others, the oral food challenge can help guide dose adjustments with oral immunotherapy and allow for more personalized dosing and increased efficacy.
What to Expect
- We provide a detailed explanation of this daily treatment and offer tips on how to implement into your busy lifestyle.
- We will offer an entry threshold challenge, which is a safe way to determine each child's personal threshold they can tolerate. Some children react to very small amounts of allergen whereas others have no reaction after several bites. This information can tailor an individualized oral immunotherapy protocol for your child.
- We will discuss goal maintenance dosing with every family. Some families prefer lower amounts to make treatment easier and protect from accidental ingestion. Other families prefer to try for higher maintenance amounts with the goal of incorporating that food into the diet.
- You will discuss at home versus in office updosing visits during the build up phase and decide which approach is best suited for your family.
- After reaching maintenance dosing, you will continue to receive support and discussion regarding next steps. While some practices tell patients they have "graduated" oral immunotherapy, we prefer to continue long term relationships and guidance throughout all phases of treatment.
