Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) Treatment in London

Any child with a confirmed IgE-mediated food allergy is theoretically a candidate for oral immunotherapy, however suitability requires careful individual assessment. Younger children tend to be better candidates than older children. A full assessment is needed to determine if OIT could be helpful for your child. Essential requirements include commitment to daily dosing at home, regular clinic visits for many months, and well-controlled asthma if present. We consider the child's reaction history, current allergy test results, overall health, and personal circumstances in our evaluation.

Mild allergic reactions during OIT are common and expected, including itchy mouth or throat, and mild stomach discomfort. These reactions indicate the immune system is working with the allergen as intended. More serious reactions are less common but possible, including anaphylaxis, which is why comprehensive emergency protocols are essential. A small percentage of patients may develop eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), a chronic inflammatory condition affecting swallowing, which usually resolves after stopping treatment. All dose escalations occur under medical supervision with emergency preparedness. We also provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to help families confidently manage reactions at home, ensuring families feel prepared and supported throughout the treatment journey.

OIT success rate varies by individual and allergen, with studies showing 60-80% of patients achieving successful desensitisation. For some patients, especially very young children, OIT may induce full tolerance, effectively functioning as a cure. However, for most patients, OIT creates desensitisation rather than tolerance - a temporary state requiring ongoing food consumption to maintain protection. Most patients can consume significantly larger amounts of their trigger food than before treatment, providing substantial protection from accidental exposure and dramatically improving quality of life.

The OIT timeline typically involves several phases over 12-18 months. We first confirm your child's allergy through testing and possibly an oral food challenge. Treatment begins in clinic with very small doses, returning every 2 weeks for dose increases until reaching maintenance levels (such as 300mg peanut protein). The buildup period takes several months, followed by daily maintenance dosing for at least 1-2 years. After this period, we may reduce frequency to 2-3 times weekly, though most patients need regular exposure long-term to prevent return of allergic symptoms.

Yes, children with well-controlled asthma can undergo OIT, but asthma control is critical throughout treatment. Poorly controlled or unstable asthma significantly increases the risk of severe allergic reactions during OIT. We require strict adherence to the child's asthma action plan and may adjust treatment protocols based on asthma status. Viral infections, fatigue, missing doses, and vigorous activity after dosing can all increase reaction risk, so careful monitoring and adjustment of circumstances is essential for safe treatment.

Food allergies involve the immune system and can cause potentially serious reactions. They occur when the body produces an antibody response to specific food proteins. Food intolerances, however, don't involve the immune system and typically cause digestive symptoms only. While intolerances can be uncomfortable, they aren't life-threatening. Common examples include lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting milk sugar) and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Our specialists can help determine whether your symptoms indicate an allergy or intolerance.