Food Allergy Treatment Options

Prior to the late 2010s, people diagnosed with food allergies were commonly advised to steer clear of allergens. They were often told to avoid entire food categories to be safe. For instance, someone allergic to cashews might have been told to avoid all nuts. So for safety reasons, they would deprive themselves of foods that could have actually been safe for them to eat. And despite all their best efforts, accidental exposure to allergens remained a concern.

Advances in science and increasing awareness of food allergies has led to break-through food allergy treatment options. There are now options for treating food allergies that go beyond simple avoidance. In fact, thousands of people have gone through treatment with programs like oral immunotherapy with life-altering results.

What Food Allergy Treatment Options Are Available?

Food allergies can be scary, but treatment options can reduce risk and improve quality of life. Some food allergy treatments include:

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)

The most popular and available treatment for food allergies is oral immunotherapy. During OIT, patients are gradually exposed to increasing quantities of their allergen, allowing their bodies to build up a tolerance.

- OIT treatment can be effective for single or multiple food allergies and for patients of all ages
- Palforzia is an oral immunotherapy drug that was approved by the FDA for treatment of peanut allergies.
- Xolair® (omalizumab) is a medication that can work in conjunction with OIT for patients who need additional protection. It reduces the release of substances in your body that cause allergy symptoms, thereby inhibiting the allergic reaction process.

Other Treatment Alternatives

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) — SLIT functions by placing a small amount of a very diluted liquid version of the allergen under the tongue (aka sublingually) rather than through ingestion or through shots. SLIT is most proven for its effectiveness with environmental allergies, and has only recently been investigated as a treatment for food allergies.
Tolerance Induction (TIP™) — only offered by Food Allergy Institute in Southern California for children, TIP is an alternative food allergy treatment plan that exposes the patient to foods that have protein structures similar to their allergens.
Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) — being developed by DBV Technologies, EPIT or “the peanut patch” is currently in investigative-use only for the possible treatment of peanut allergy in children.
Allergen Release Technique™ (A.R.T.) — only offered at proprietary offices in MA and NY, this therapy aims to reduce anxiety around food allergies and improve gut health.

Latitude Food Allergy Care makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information or endorsement of the services provided by other companies.

Food Allergy Treatment at Latitude

At Latitude, we offer food allergy treatment exclusively with OIT. Our extensive experience has resulted in successful outcomes for thousands of patients. In fact, 92% of our OIT patients achieved desensitization.

To determine if you are a good candidate for food allergy treatment, our clinical team will first evaluate your medical history and perform any necessary tests to confidently identify the true allergen. Our goal is to ensure that your treatment is as safe and effective as possible.

Evidence-Based Protocols in Oral Immunotherapy

Latitude uses evidence-based protocols that are based on clinical studies from leading research institutions such as Stanford, UCSF, Duke, Baylor and others. Learn more about pivotal recent OIT research and protocols in the studies below:

Evidence-based protocols not only provide the most innovative research and development, but they also create a blueprint for effective, safe, and patient-centered allergy care. See additional published studies on oral immunotherapy in our FAQs.

How to Start Food Allergy Treatment

The best way to begin food allergy treatment with oral immunotherapy is to seek an experienced care team. At Latitude, our OIT patients start with a full examination and assessment to clarify their food allergies. One of our goals is to determine — with certainty — whether the patient has a food allergy or is suffering from a food sensitivity. While a food sensitivity may cause general discomfort, a food allergy will stimulate an immune system response. This immune system response could become life-threatening in severe cases, and may require the use of an epinephrine auto-injector. Learn more about food allergy testing and more about the differences between food allergies and food sensitivities.

To be a candidate for OIT, patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of an IgE-mediated food allergy. With a clear diagnosis and an in-depth discussion about the commitment and expectations of OIT, your clinician will create a personalized treatment plan that is right for you and your family.