Food Allergies
Understanding your food allergies is the key to living without fear. Our goal at Allergy and Asthma Care is to allow people with food allergies to eat a variety of foods.
Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Management of Food Allergies
If you suspect a food allergy, it is important to seek evaluation by an allergist for testing to confirm which foods to avoid. If you have severe food allergies, you should wear a medical alert bracelet, and carry an epinephrine device at all times.
Testing
Testing for food allergies (skin testing or blood testing) is done to confirm a suspected food allergy.
Oral Food Challenges
Oral challenges (supervised eating of a food) are performed when a food allergy diagnosis is unclear or testing suggests that a person may have outgrown their food allergy.
Food Allergy Treatment
Allergy & Asthma care is proud to offer our patients various treatment options for food allergies.
While there is still no cure for food allergies and avoidance of the food allergen is still the gold standard, treatment options are emerging. At Allergy and Asthma Care we offer patients the opportunity to treat their food allergies through Oral Immunotherapy (OIT), Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) and medication.
Food Allergy Treatment FAQs:
What is the goal of food allergy treatment?
The goal of the food allergy treatments is to prevent a severe reaction from accidental exposure to small amounts of the food allergen. Most people will not freely eat their food allergen at the end of treatment but they will be able to freely consume foods that “may contain” the food allergen.
What medication is available for food allergy?
Omalizumab (Xolair) has been FDA approved for the treatment of food allergy in people over 1 year of age. Omalizumab has been available for the treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases for over 20 years. Omalizumab is an injection that is given every 2-4 based on a person’s weight and certain blood tests.
What is SLIT?
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) is a process where a person uses drops of their food allergen in liquid form under the tongue. After being on SLIT treatment for 2 years most people are able to consume a small amount of their food allergen without reaction (for example 1-2 peanuts).
Are the treatments for food allergy at Allergy & Asthma Care covered by insurance?
Yes! While co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles may apply, we bill all of our food allergy treatments through insurance.
What is OIT?
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is a process where a person very slowly starts to eat gradually increasing amounts of their food allergen until they are eating a small amount of the food (for example, 2 peanuts) every day.
Are the treatments for food allergy FDA approved?
Omalizumab (Xolair) is FDA approved for the treatment of food allergies. SLIT and OIT are not FDA approved treatments however there is significant data on the effectiveness of these treatments and many allergists are offering them around the world.
If I start SLIT, OIT or medication for food allergy how long do I need to continue?
None of the current available treatments are cures for food allergy. Most people need to continue with the treatments indefinitely to maintain their “desensitized” state (where they can consume a small amount of the food without a reaction).
What are the risks of food allergy treatment?
All current food allergy treatments carry at least some risk of allergic reaction. SLIT carries the lowest risk, and OIT carries the highest risk. Talk to our allergists about the specific risks for each treatment.
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