Oral Immunotherapy Treatment (OIT) in Fairfield, CT
Understanding Food Allergies
Food allergies affect millions of people worldwide, often leading to severe allergic reactions that require strict avoidance of certain foods. Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is a groundbreaking treatment designed to help individuals with food allergies build tolerance to allergens over time. By gradually introducing small amounts of the allergenic food, OIT aims to reduce the risk of severe reactions and improve quality of life. At Allergy and Asthma Consultants of Fairfield County, Dr.Aimee Altschul-Latzman is here to help.
Treating Food Allergies with Oral Immunotherapy
OIT is a medically supervised treatment that involves consuming increasing amounts of a food allergen in a controlled setting. The goal is to desensitize the immune system, allowing the body to tolerate small amounts of the allergen without triggering severe allergic reactions.
This treatment follows a structured process that your allergist will guide you through. You’ll first be given a very small amount of your allergen and monitored for allergic reactions. From there, the allergen dose is gradually increased over several months under the guidance of your allergist. Once the target dose is reached, patients continue taking a daily dose indefinitely to maintain tolerance. Many individuals can tolerate small amounts of the allergen without severe reactions.
Oral immunotherapy is often recommended for individuals with severe food allergies to allergens such as peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, and tree nuts. This helps greatly reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions from accidental exposure and can provide greater food freedom. If you or your child have severe food allergies, oral immunotherapy may provide a path toward desensitization and greater food safety.