PEANUT, TREE NUTS, AND SESAME SEED ORAL IMMUNOTHERAPY
THE PATIENT NEED
About 1.4% of US individuals have a peanut allergy, and about 0.2% have a tree nut or seed allergy. Because of the potentially life threatening nature of these allergies, many patients develop anxiety around eating. The fear that food may unknowingly contain a triggering allergen leads patients to fear eating out at restaurants or in other people’s homes. Just knowing that a tiny amount of an allergic ingredient could create a serious medical problem is an uncomfortable and frightening feeling, to say the least. Our goal is to minimize or eliminate that fear and danger.
WHAT IS ORAL DESENSITIZATION?
The traditional approach to food allergy is avoiding the food to which one is allergic, and keeping medications available for emergency use. Oral Immunotherapy involves cautiously eating the food to which one is allergic, while being monitored in your allergist’s office. The initial dose is very small, so that it is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction. The amount of food consumed is slowly increased over time. As this desensitization process occurs under the supervision of your allergist, if an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms are promptly treated by the allergy staff.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE TREATMENT?
The goal of Oral Immunotherapy (Desensitization) is not to allow a person to regularly consume peanuts, tree nuts, or seeds at any time, i.e. tolerance. Instead, the program is designed to increase the amount of food it takes to trigger a worrisome allergic reaction. This creates a safety net in case of accidental exposure. Patients should continue to avoid the foods to which they are allergic other than in their treatment doses.
Oral Immunotherapy has been successfully accomplished at research centers and private practice settings for peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, egg, cow’s milk, and other foods. Because peanut and tree nut allergies are often lifelong. these are the most common food allergies treated with oral immunotherapy. Allergy and Asthma Care of Fairfield County has established the Food Allergy Center of Connecticut, dedicated to the treatment of food allergy. We offer a food allergy desensitization program for individuals who are allergic to peanut, tree nuts, sesame seed, egg, cow’s milk, and several other foods. Multi-food desensitization will likely be added in the near future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
We welcome the opportunity to discuss our Center’s protocols and procedures with you. Simply contact us to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
You can also download our brochure from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology for more information about peanut allergy treatments.
FAQS
How old must one be to participate?
In most cases, a child must be at least 4 years of age and mature enough to notify the parent/physician of symptoms suggestive of an allergic reaction during the desensitization process. However, early oral immunotherapy is now available for peanut and tree nuts, and this can be started as early as 6 months of age.
What is the success rate?
Studies and allergists across the country report the vast majority of individuals are successful, although there are often “bumps along the way.”
What are the most common symptoms during build-up?
Upset stomach, nausea and less frequently vomiting. Itching of the mouth/throat may occur. Rarely severe allergic reactions may occur. Some patients(less than 5%) develop increased number of cells, called eosinophils, in their esophagus (Eosinophilic Esophagitis). It is unknown if this is an incidental finding or caused by the desensitization., but cases caused by oral immunotherapy should resolve once the implicated food is removed from the diet.