For people with food allergies, oral immunotherapy (OIT) offers a chance to live without the fear of accidental exposure. OIT is a treatment for food allergies that works by gradually desensitizing patients to a specific food. However, determining whether OIT is the right option depends on several factors, including the type and severity of your allergy. When you’re considering the best way to manage your food allergies in Atlanta, here’s how to tell if you’re a good candidate.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Immunotherapy?
Those who are good candidates for OIT share a few common characteristics that allergists look for before recommending treatment. For the right patients, OIT can be a life-changing therapy that brings relief from the dangers of food allergies.
Confirmed Food Allergy Diagnosis
Oral immunotherapy is only viable for patients with a confirmed food allergy diagnosis. To confirm a diagnosis, your allergist will need to perform a skin prick or blood test and use the results alongside a symptom analysis and medical history. The results can help determine if OIT would be beneficial.
Type and Severity of Food Allergy
OIT will not be suitable for every type of allergy. This treatment is commonly used to build tolerance to foods like milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, while various other allergies are best treated with allergen avoidance and medication. For patients that experience severe reactions, an allergist will need to determine if OIT is the appropriate option.
Overall Health and Medical History
Allergists also consider medical history and overall health to ensure that OIT is safe and appropriate for a patient. For instance, to avoid complications asthma should be well-controlled, and all medications will be checked to make sure they won’t interfere with the OIT process. These health considerations apply to patients of all ages, and are especially important when evaluating food allergy treatment in young children.
Commitment to the Oral Immunotherapy Process
OIT is based on a gradual building of tolerance through ingesting increasing doses of the allergen. Patients will need to take daily doses for several months in the buildup phase, and maintain the regimen over subsequent years during the maintenance phase. Those receiving OIT must be committed to following the plan to achieve lasting results.
Family and Caregiver Support
When a child is undergoing OIT, parents and caregivers must also be committed to the process. During OIT treatment, families are often involved in administering doses as well as monitoring for signs of a reaction. They must also understand what to do in case of an allergic reaction.
Realistic Expectations for Treatment
The best candidates for oral immunotherapy treatment understand that the treatment is not a cure. Even when a patient can tolerate a substantial amount of the particular food after reaching the maintenance phase, they should still be aware of the risks of a potential reaction, and always carry emergency medication.
Visit Us in Atlanta for Oral Immunotherapy Treatment
For expert help with food allergies, come see us at one of our Atlanta-area treatment centers. We provide food allergy testing and treatment, including oral immunotherapy for adults and children. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
Image Credit – Peakstock/Shutterstock.com