The first day procedure will take about 5-6 hours.  The time to reach the top maintenance is about 10-12 months, depending on any symptoms during the build-up dosing.

We are enrolling OIT patients at 12 months and older.  Sublingual immunotherapy can begin as young as age 4-5 years old.  A consultation will be required to evaluate patient readiness.

Peanut, Sesame, Tree nuts, Milk, Egg, Wheat, and Chickpea.  We are open to discussing all your food allergies and potential treatment options.

Yes, we offer Multi-Food OIT and SLIT.  We may combine 2 foods for OIT and several foods concurrently for SLIT.  Each immunotherapy treatment plan is individualized to the patient.

No, it is not necessary.  We only advise to hold antihistamines prior to skin testing and oral food challenges.  Please call the clinic if you have specific questions.

Exactly how it goes, depends on each individual child/adult. Patients will come in every two weeks for buildup-dosing. If they are having any symptoms, we may not increase the dose, or even decrease until better tolerated.

By far, gastrointestinal symptoms are most common. Upset stomach, nausea and less frequently, vomiting. Also, patients may complain of an itchy throat after their dose.

The interval between dose increases is a minimum of fourteen days.  Patients should have a minimum of 12 doses prior to increasing to the next dose.

It is important to consume a largely carbohydrate meal before doses are given, either at the Center or at home. Suggestions of foods to eat/bring on the morning of your initial day of desensitization include bagels, waffles, pancakes, cereal, and breakfast sandwiches.

It does not matter what time of day the peanut dose is given as long as it is taken with a meal and there is a 2 hour observation period without exertion after the dose is given.

Avoiding exercise or hot showers for 2 hours after dosing is imperative. Strenuous exercise just prior to dose should also be avoided. Increased heart rate and body temperature from exercise, heat exposure, or fevers can lead to reactions. Allergic reactions can more commonly occur under any of these circumstances.

Doses can be held at home for up to 1 or 2 days and then resumed.  If doses need to be held any longer than 2 consecutive days, please contact the office for advice on how to proceed.  If you miss more than 2 doses over 2 weeks, we may need to reschedule your updose appointment to ensure you have had enough doses prior to increasing.

The dose should not be given at home that day. NEVER increase the dose on your own at home.

Treat the reaction the same way you would any food reaction; antihistamine if there are mild symptoms (slight rash, itchy mouth or throat, a stomach ache). Give epinephrine (Epi-Pen or Auvi-Q) if there are other symptoms of anaphylaxis, (or above symptoms appear to be progressing. Call us after the appropriate immediate intervention. We will give instructions on future dosing.

Call as soon as you know you need more. You must be able to tell us what the current dose is. The patient is responsible for shipping fees. This fee cannot be charged to your insurance.

The goal of therapy is to desensitize patients to the allergen they are allergic to.  That means creating a safety net if there is an accidental ingestion. Safety is our number one concern.  We have shown how oral immunotherapy improves quality of life in those treated patients and their families.

Every OIT food has a defined maintenance dose that will continue to be taken daily at home.

When the maintenance dose has been reached, there should be follow up appointments scheduled at 6 months, 12 months than yearly.

We have been able to desensitize greater than 85% to 90% of patients who enroll in our programs.

Most commercial insurances cover the procedures for desensitization.  Patients are responsible for co-pays and deductibles just as they are at any physician’s office.