You read that correctly. My three-year-old, Lily, has a peanut allergy, yet our family doesn’t shy away from peanuts at all. In our home, we don’t scrutinize food labels, and we don’t ask restaurant staff about her meals’ safety. When we travel, we don’t search for eateries with safe options, nor do we notify airlines to avoid serving peanuts around her. If a child at the playground is munching on peanut butter, we don’t flinch. And when Halloween comes around, if someone tosses peanut candy into her bucket, she’ll likely indulge when we get home. This is all possible because of a treatment called oral immunotherapy, or OIT.
I remember the first time I introduced peanut butter to Lily when she was just ten months old. I spread a tiny bit on some bread, but her reaction was immediate: hives erupted all over her face and chest, and she became red and puffy, with one eye nearly swollen shut. Blood and skin tests later confirmed her peanut allergy. The nurse who delivered the news seemed genuinely sorry, as if my daughter had received a life-altering diagnosis. The fear and anxiety that came with knowing the dangerous nature of food allergies were overwhelming.
Before having a child with food allergies, it’s hard to grasp how perilous even the tiniest trace of an allergen can be. I recall a time when, after washing my hands diligently, Lily still broke out in hives after I helped her brush her teeth. Peanuts contain various allergenic proteins, and my daughter is specifically allergic to the ARAH2 protein, which can cause severe reactions and is typically difficult to outgrow. This made her an ideal candidate for OIT.
Understanding Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
During this therapy, patients start with a minuscule amount of the allergen and gradually increase their intake until they can consume a full serving. It involves daily doses and weekly visits to the allergist for monitoring and adjustments. After a period of six to twelve months, patients can reach what is known as “maintenance,” which requires ongoing dosing to maintain desensitization. If they stop, they risk losing that tolerance.
It’s crucial to note that OIT isn’t a cure. Currently, there’s no cure for food allergies. It merely helps individuals become less sensitive to their allergens. After treatment, patients can usually consume their allergen without fear, but they still need to carry epinephrine auto-injectors just in case.
Recently, the FDA approved Palforzia, a medication derived from peanut powder, as part of OIT. However, it’s important to remember that OIT remains a relatively new process, and its long-term protective effects after discontinuation are still being studied. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, so consulting with a medical team is essential.
The Emotional Impact of OIT
Even if OIT isn’t a physical cure, it offers significant emotional relief. Living with a food allergy is about far more than just avoiding peanuts. Cross-contamination is a real threat, and a seemingly safe meal can quickly become dangerous. For children as sensitive as Lily, even a trace amount of peanut protein could have triggered a severe reaction before starting OIT.
Now, with oral immunotherapy, I no longer dread grocery shopping or obsess over food labels. Dining out, attending family events, and even school lunches no longer fill me with anxiety. I feel reassured about her future—whether it’s going off to school, dating, or heading to college. Although she’s still medically classified as allergic, OIT allows us to live as if she’s not.
Lily has a peanut allergy, and I feed her peanuts every day without worry.
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In summary, oral immunotherapy has transformed our experience with food allergies, allowing us to navigate life with more freedom and less fear. While we still need to be cautious, OIT has significantly improved our quality of life.