After experiencing a severe allergic reaction, many people make a great effort to eliminate eggs and egg-based products from their diet completely. But what if you could access a treatment for egg allergies that offers something new? Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an innovative treatment that aims to desensitize the immune system to egg proteins. Let’s examine whether OIT is a viable option for North Texas adults and children dealing with egg allergies.
Is Oral Immunotherapy an Effective Treatment for Egg Allergies?
In recent years, OIT has proven effective in reducing severe allergic reactions to eggs. Eggs are among the most common foods that cause allergic reactions in infants, making eggs a significant concern for parents who understandably want a safe way to minimize risk. Studies examining OIT have shown that for many patients, this treatment has proven to be a consistently dependable method to help prevent such reactions.
A meta-analysis published by the National Library of Medicine found that 82% of children receiving allergen-specific oral immunotherapy could tolerate a partial serving of egg, while in comparison, only 10% of the control group could do the same. Another study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology compared OIT with egg avoidance. Results showed that 90% of children undergoing OIT could tolerate either a partial or full target dose, whereas in the egg avoidance group only 4.8% naturally developed a tolerance to the target dose.
Who Can Benefit From Oral Immunotherapy Treatment?
While OIT is highly beneficial for some patients, others might be better served by alternative treatments. Initially, you’ll need to know if you have a food allergy by visiting your allergist and undergoing the appropriate testing procedures. When an egg allergy is diagnosed the allergist can outline a treatment plan, but only after assessing whether the patient and family are committed to both the initial updosing and maintenance phases of treatment.
Evaluating a patient’s risk is another crucial factor in considering OIT for egg allergies. Before recommending treatment an allergist evaluates factors like the severity of reactions, any past anaphylactic episodes, along with additional food allergies the patient may be dealing with. Since the OIT process can take several months, the decision to start treatment should be made collaboratively, involving the patient, their family and the allergist.
Egg Allergy Desensitization With SLIT
Allergists may recommend sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) to treat egg allergies for some patients. Like OIT, SLIT treatment aims to desensitize the immune system to the allergen, though it involves administering drops of the allergen extract under the tongue. Together with oral immunotherapy treatment, these approaches are expanding the possibilities for those with food allergies, offering a better quality of life and reduced health risks.
Contact Us for Guidance on Oral Immunotherapy in North Texas
If you or your child have an egg allergy, speak with TexasAllergyMD for advice on the best treatment options. We provide allergy care and testing at our allergy treatment centers in McKinney/Prosper and Southlake. Call (469) 375-1525 or request an appointment today.
