For decades allergists have toiled with the problem of food allergy.
Allergists have been desensitizing patients with allergy to inhalants such as dust and pollens for many years—with allergy shots.
In the past, we could diagnose food allergy. But beyond avoidance and epinephrine, in the case of emergencies, we had nothing to offer patients.
Now, we have brought our experience with inhalant desensitization, to foods. Oral immunotherapy or, OIT, uses the same concept to achieve the goal of desensitizing
The therapy is safe and over 94 percent of patients can achieve the ability to freely eat those allergenic foods. Even people who have had an anaphylactic event in the past can now eat those foods without fear.
Imagine going to a restaurant worry-free. You can with our Program!
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT):
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is specifically designed for food allergies. We can treat most common food allergy like tree nuts, peanuts and egg. It’s like a structured training program for your digestive system. You begin by consuming small amounts of the allergenic food, and gradually, under the careful supervision of a medical professional, you increase the amount over time.
This process helps your body build tolerance to the allergen (such as peanuts). OIT is not a quick solution; it’s a long-term commitment that requires close monitoring by a healthcare professional because. However, the ultimate goal is to enable you to eat foods without experiencing allergic reactions by essentially teaching your body to handle substances that used to trigger adverse responses. If you have food allergy, there is a way to be able to eat trigger foods again!
Frequently Asked Questions
My food allergy is severe and I have had anaphylaxis in the past. Can I undergo oral immunotherapy (OIT) at the Food Allergy Clinic?
Yes you can. Indeed, our protocols were developed just for patients like you, no matter how severe your food allergy is!
How much does your treatment cost?
The direct costs of being a food allergic patient are just above $4000/year. Further, there are indirect psychological costs that are troubling when you have to live with a food allergy. At the Food Allergy Clinic, we aim to eliminate this direct financial and psychological burden. We have an all-inclusive program that includes phone support, all visits, up-dosing, and pre-prepared OIT doses. We have payment plans available and any fees you pay to the Food Allergy Clinic can be submitted to your HSA account for reimbursement.
After the first day of build up, can doses be escalated at home?
No. All dose escalations per-protocol must be done with direct observation by our clinic. There are no additional costs associated with these up-dose visits
How does OIT work?
OIT works by exposing your immune system to the food you are allergic to over and over. We start with minuscule amounts of the food protein and eventually start eating the allergenic food in whole. Day 1 is a visit that takes about 4-6 hours with what we call “up dosing”. You will get an increasing amounts of the food over 15 minute intervals. You will go home and continue that days final dosing. Then once a week we up dose you in visits that take about 45 minutes. After about 4-6 months you will be eating full servings of the food. Daily ingestion of the food is required. Daily servings will be required and continued for 3-5 years. At that time a sustained unresponsiveness challenge will be administered after that, the patient may stop carrying epinephrine autoinjector and free-eat the food without worry for an allergic reaction!
Are there any specific instructions for at home dosing?
It is important that patients are motivated and compliant with daily dosing. Exercise should be avoided for at least two hours following dosing. It is recommended to dose in the early morning. Exercise restriction applies both to build up and maintenance dosing. Exercise does increase the potential for an allergic reaction, so we ask to avoid, as above, for at least 2 hours.
What is the goal of OIT?
The goal of this treatment is to be able to actually eat the food freely. If your particular goal is to only be protected from a severe allergic reaction, we can maintain individuals on a lower maintenance dose. We can custom tailor our treatment plans to your desire.
How frequently are up doses given?
There must be a minimum of 7 days that passes from one up the dose to the next. However, if a patient is out of town or has other issues, more than 7 days between up dosing is completely appropriate. (Patient must continue the daily dosing between up dosing visits regardless of how long the interval is for the patient).
Testimonials
Contact Us!
Please call us to learn more about our food oral immunotherapy program and to make an appointment.
Email Address
Call Us
Visit Us
16801 Newburgh Rd,
Suite 106
Livonia, MI 48154
Suite 106
Livonia, MI 48154