Oral immunotherapy is a popular and effective treatment for food allergies that produces lasting results for patients. By gradually training the immune system to tolerate an allergen, symptoms become far less potent – and individuals can experience a greatly improved quality of life. For many Atlanta patients, allergy desensitization is a life-changing therapy. Since this treatment is most effective for a small assortment of foods, will desensitization work for your specific food allergy?
The Main Foods You Can Treat With Desensitization
Food desensitization, or oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT), is used primarily to treat four food allergies.
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Tree Nuts
These food allergies are among the most common, particularly among children. By undergoing a sustained period of desensitization, a person can reach a maintenance level where the particular food doesn’t trigger severe allergic reactions.
Milk Allergy Desensitization
Milk allergy is one of the first allergies to be identified in infants, usually appearing within the first year of life. While many children eventually grow out of this allergy, it poses a serious risk of anaphylaxis. Thankfully, food allergy desensitization is an effective treatment for children suffering from poor health due to their milk allergy.
Egg Allergy Desensitization
An allergy to eggs is also most common in young children, often appearing upon a child’s first exposure to eggs. Of course, eggs are an ingredient in many food products including cakes, cookies and breads. However, as the high cooking temperatures involved in baking alter the egg proteins, some people can indeed tolerate baked goods. A study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 88% of trial patients were desensitized to eggs after completing OIT.
Peanut Allergy Desensitization
Peanuts are widely recognized as a cause of severe allergic reactions. In recent decades, as more people experience symptoms, an increased awareness of the risks of peanut allergies has developed. Though peanuts are legumes, cross-reactivity with tree nuts is possible. This means that those with reactions should consider allergy testing to gain greater clarity on their issues.
Tree Nut Allergy Desensitization
Tree nuts include almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, cashews and walnuts. Unlike many other food allergies, tree nut allergies will typically last throughout a person’s life. Due to the increased risk of anaphylaxis from tree nuts, many people face added stress from the fear of accidental exposure. This is why desensitization is an important tool to build immune system tolerance and protect patients from severe responses.
Why Desensitization Is an Important Food Allergy Treatment
Oral immunotherapy treatment with an Atlanta allergist is an effective method of building tolerance using small, controlled doses of an allergen. While not a cure, OIT increases the sensitivity threshold where an allergy would trigger a reaction. For patients suffering poor health from their allergy and living in fear of accidental exposure, desensitization is undoubtedly a valuable treatment option.
Contact Us for Food Allergy Desensitization Treatment in Atlanta
Visit Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center for specialized desensitization treatments for food allergies. Our centers are located in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth and Johns Creek. For assistance, call (678) 668-4688.
