Living With Food Allergy
Living with a food allergy may cause significant stress and anxiety for both children and their families. Having a child with food allergy usually affects the entire family. In order to protect a child with peanut or tree nut allergy, many parents limit participation by the child or the entire family in social activities that involve food, such as birthday parties, restaurant meals, holiday parties etc. Surveys show that this usually results in a decreased quality of life.
Food Allergy Treatment
The traditional approach to food allergy consists of avoiding the food to which one is allergic, and keeping medication (EpiPen/Benadryl) available for emergency use. Although these measures remain the gold standard for treating food allergy, a new approach has recently been developed. This treatment, known as Oral Immunotherapy, involves cautiously eating the food to which one is allergic. The initial dose of the food administered is small enough that it is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction. The amount of food given as treatment is slowly increased over time. An increase in the dose of the treatment food only occurs in a medical facility, under the supervision of an allergist. Subsequently the “safe” dose is repeated at home for two weeks, prior to the next step-up dose administered at the medical facility.
Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Desensitization Program
About 18 months ago, Advanced Allergy and Asthma Care initiated an Oral Immunotherapy (desensitization) program for individuals with peanut and certain tree nut allergies. This is the first of its kind in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Currently, specific treatment for peanut, cashew nut and walnut allergy is available. The goal for those receiving peanut treatment is to be able to consume 10 peanuts daily, or the equivalent quantity of peanut butter.
The food Oral Immunotherapy program has been a great success. The majority of our patients are able to consume a quantity of peanut/tree nut that greatly minimizes the likelihood of a worrisome allergic reaction. For most families this results in a significant improvement of their quality of life.
In addition to the Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Treatment Program, the Specialists of Advanced Allergy & Asthma Care provide treatment for asthma, nasal allergies, eye allergies, sinus infections, as well as other food and skin allergies. Additionally, we treat insect stings and medication allergies. We have locations throughout Fairfield County, CT with offices in Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk and Ridgefield.