Treatment: What is OIT and how does it work?

Dr. Doug Mack

GrowHappy ImmunoNutrition Squad Member

VP - Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Section of Allergy and Immunology Executive - Ontario Medical Association 

McMaster University - Pediatric Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

OIT (Oral Immunotherapy) is a treatment method that aims to desensitize individuals with food allergies by gradually increasing the amount of the allergenic food they consume on a regular basis.  Some patients will develop long-term tolerance or remission.  This approach tends to work best in younger patients.

 

OIT involves administering small, increasing doses of the food allergen over time, usually starting with a very tiny amount. The goal is to build up tolerance to the allergen, thereby reducing the risk of severe allergic reactions upon exposure. This process typically involves:

  1. Initial dose escalation in a controlled environment (like a clinic)

  2. Regular maintenance doses consumed at home

 

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of OIT in increasing the threshold for allergic reactions in food-allergic individuals. Notable findings include:

  • Research shows that many patients can ingest a small amount of the allergenic food without experiencing an allergic reaction after undergoing OIT

  • Long-term studies suggest that some individuals maintain a tolerance and develop remission even after discontinuation of therapy

 

See your allergist to learn more.  OIT is done with an allergist and should not be done alone. 

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