At Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists, we see how often food allergies can affect our patients’ daily activities. Allergies can get in the way of preparing meals at home, eating at restaurants and add overall stress to your routine as you have to account for them. We offer oral immunotherapy (OIT), a treatment that gradually introduces small, carefully measured amounts of a food allergen to help the immune system become less sensitive over time. The goal is to reduce the risk of a serious allergic reaction from accidental exposure.
Our experienced team of allergists provides our patients with food allergy testing and treatment for all ages throughout Henrico, Richmond and the surrounding communities. If you or a family member is living with a food allergy, we’re here and happy to help you explore whether Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is the right treatment option.
What Should You Know About Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)?
What Is Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)?
Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a treatment for patients with certain food allergies to help them become less sensitive to the foods that trigger their reactions. OIT works differently from traditional medications that manage symptoms after an allergic reaction occurs; instead, it gradually exposes the immune system to controlled amounts of a food allergen so that you can build a tolerance.
Treatment begins with a very small amount of the allergen, which is gradually increased according to a carefully monitored schedule. Over time, this exposure can help our patients tolerate larger amounts of the food without experiencing the same level of allergic reaction!
OIT may be considered and helpful for several common food allergies, including:
Will It Cure My Food Allergies?
Treatment availability and eligibility vary by allergen. Our team is happy to review your specific food allergies and explain which treatment options may be appropriate! Although OIT can help reduce allergic sensitivity, it is not a cure for food allergies.
We always let patients know that they must continue following their allergist’s food avoidance recommendations and emergency action plan throughout treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)?
Oral immunotherapy can be a great treatment option for patients with confirmed food allergies who want to reduce their risk of a serious reaction from accidental exposure.
We generally find that good candidates have a confirmed food allergy and can also commit to the treatment schedule, which will include daily dosing and regular appointments with our team.
Not everyone is a candidate for Oral Immunotherapy (OIT). Certain medical conditions, including uncontrolled asthma or eosinophilic esophagitis, may make treatment unsuitable.
You may benefit from discussing OIT with our allergists if you:
What Happens During Oral Immunotherapy Treatment?
At Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists, we always want to ensure that you understand what to expect before beginning treatment. Oral immunotherapy involves a gradual process with our medical supervision and regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress with the treatment.
Step 1: Your Initial Allergy Consultation
Your first appointment will start with a conversation with one of our allergists about anything that may be relevant to our team, such as your food allergy symptoms, any previous reactions, your medical history and the goals you have for treatment.
Our team will always carefully review your concerns and discuss whether OIT may be appropriate for your needs.
Step 2: Food Allergy Testing
Before recommending treatment, we first need to confirm which foods are causing your allergic reactions.
Allergy testing involves one of our allergy providers placing small amounts of any suspected allergens into the skin of your arms or back. Then, we’ll wait 15 to 20 minutes to be able to monitor whether or not your immune system has a reaction to the substances.
Step 3: Creating Your Treatment Plan
If we find that OIT is appropriate for you, we’ll then explain everything you need to know about treatment, including our recommended treatment schedule for you, as well as the timeline you can expect and safety precautions.
Your treatment plan will include carefully measured doses of the food allergen, along with our instructions to be able to manage in case of any reactions and take doses at home.
Step 4: Beginning Treatment
Treatment starts with a small amount of the food allergen administered under medical supervision. Our team will monitor you for allergic reactions and explain how to recognize and respond to symptoms.
This initial phase allows your allergist to evaluate your response before establishing your ongoing dosing schedule.
Step 5: Gradually Increasing Your Dose
During the buildup phase, the amount of the food allergen is gradually increased at scheduled office appointments.
Between visits, patients typically take their prescribed dose at home each day. It’s important to follow the dosing instructions carefully and never increase the amount without your allergist’s guidance.
Step 6: Maintenance and Follow-Up
Once you reach your target dose, you’ll enter the maintenance phase. This generally involves continuing a prescribed amount of the food allergen on a regular schedule to help maintain your increased tolerance.
We’ll continue monitoring your progress, discussing any reactions and making adjustments when necessary.
How Long Does Oral Immunotherapy Take to Work?
Oral immunotherapy is a gradual treatment that requires consistency and patience. The timeline will vary based on the food allergen, treatment protocol and how each patient individually responds.
The buildup phase typically lasts several months for our patients and is then followed by ongoing maintenance dosing. Some patients develop a greater tolerance during their treatment, but continued dosing is often necessary for you to be able to maintain the benefits.
Part of your treatment process will include one of our allergists reviewing the expected timeline and helping you understand what to expect throughout your treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Oral Immunotherapy?
For eligible patients, OIT offers an additional way to manage food allergies beyond avoidance alone. It can provide meaningful benefits for many of our patients seeking relief from life-disrupting food allergies, though results do vary from patient to patient. Treatment does not eliminate the possibility of an allergic reaction or replace food avoidance and emergency precautions.
The benefits of OIT at RAAS include:
Why Medical Supervision Matters
Oral immunotherapy is specially designed to build your tolerance gradually through carefully controlled exposure to a particular food allergen. Our team always maintains a safe treatment environment for you, with an allergy specialist who will carefully monitor each stage.
FAQs About Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) In Richmond, VA
Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists provides personalized allergy care at 9920 Independence Park Dr., Suite 100, Henrico, VA 23233.
Our practice is independently owned and offers patients comprehensive allergy testing and treatment, including oral immunotherapy for food allergies. We have a team of skilled specialists and proudly help patients throughout Richmond, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Ashland, Mechanicsville and the surrounding communities explore personalized allergy care.
If you’re considering oral immunotherapy for food allergies, it’s natural to have questions about the treatment process, safety and long-term results. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions to help you better understand what to expect.
Find Out If Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) Is Right for You
Food allergies can make everyday activities challenging, but understanding your treatment options can help you feel more confident managing them. If you or a family member is interested in exploring an additional approach to food allergy care, our team is happy to help.
At Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists, we provide personalized testing and treatment to help patients understand their food allergies and determine whether oral immunotherapy (OIT) is the right next step. We welcome patients of all ages from Henrico, Richmond and the surrounding communities.
Call our team at (804) 285-7420 or request an appointment to get started. We look forward to meeting you!
(804) 285-7420