Food Allergy Treatment Center
Innovative Food Allergy Treatment
Schreiber Allergy is the first practice in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area to offer OIT (oral immunotherapy) to patients. Our practice began desensitizing patients in May 2017, and since that time we have had over 500 children and young adults on or through our program. We currently offer OIT for peanuts, tree nuts, egg, milk, wheat, sunflower seed, sesame, and soy.
What is OIT?
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is a process by which we desensitize allergic patients to food allergens. We do this by exposing the patient to very small amounts of the food and increasing that amount over time. By eating increasing amounts of the food allergen over time, the immune system develops tolerance to the food. This is not a cure, but rather a process by which we can induce tolerance – so if the patient is accidentally exposed to the food he or she will not hyper react. Some patients are able to incorporate the food into their diets.
Over 90% of our patients successfully complete the program.
How long does OIT take?
OIT typically takes approximately 9 months from the time we begin to switch to eating the food. For example, during the build up phase for peanut, we dose with peanut flour, but as the the patient gets closer to the maintenance dose, we will switch to eating peanuts or peanut m&m’s.
This process is very much customized. One size does not fit all, and the family will work closely with our experienced team to optimize treatment and minimize side effects.
What is the protocol like?
On Day 1 you will be in our office for approximately 4-5 hours. During this visit we will give you small doses of the food allergen. The very next day you will come back to the office for about one hour, and you will typically take the highest dose you had on day 1. We then send you out with your daily doses and you will return every two weeks for an “updose” visit. These visits each take about one hour. It takes approximately 9 months to switch to the food itself.
Are there side effects?
Everything in medicine has benefits and risks, and this applies to OIT as well. Patient safety is paramount. Most commonly, we see mouth itching and GI side effects (belly pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). There is also a risk of anaphylaxis, as well as eosinophilic esophagitis.
I have questions! How can I find out more?
If you are interested in OIT, and you are a new patient to Schreiber Allergy, please contact our office for a new patient appointment. Please bring your lab work and skin testing results to the appointment. If you are an existing patient with Schreiber Allergy, please contact our office for a follow up appointment. You will be seen by Dr. Schreiber, Dr. Sokol, Dr. Bolotte, Madison Clinton, PA-C, or Jennifer Schaffer, PA-C for a consultation. Jennifer Schaeffer, PA-C is the Director of our Food Allergy Center.