Topic: Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
Take a deep dive into the world of oral immunotherapy with Dr. Alice Hoyt, a trusted board-certified allergist and mother, and Pam Lestage, a devoted mom navigating food allergies. They break down the essentials of OIT — from understanding what it is to exploring the risks and benefits. Whether you’re an OIT skeptic or enthusiastic supporter, this episode promises insights that will deepen your understanding and enhance your decision-making process.
The Science of OIT
OIT is one method that reprograms the body’s immune response, teaching it to be less reactive to a particular food allergen. As in this episode, some immune systems are easier to reprogram than others.
Is OIT Right for Your Family?
Curious about the boundaries of OIT? Dr. Hoyt shines a light on who often is a good candidate for OIT. From children to adults, the conversation extends beyond simple yes or no to why and how.
Risks and Benefits
OIT therapy isn’t a casual stroll. OIT takes time, and it can cause mild adverse reaction to severe anaphylactic reactions. That said, OIT can be powerful enough teach the immune system to tolerate a food enough so that a person can be bite-proof or, in some cases, even begin to free-eat the food.
Next Steps
Check out the accompanying podcast episode!
Are you in need of an allergist in your area? Check out these allergist finder tools:
AAAAI Allergist Finder: https://allergist.aaaai.org/find/
ACAAI Allergist Finder: https://acaai.org/locate-an-allergist
OIT Allergist Finder: https://fastoit.org/find-oit-allergists/
A note from Dr. Hoyt
I have talked about a non-profit…
Pam and I volunteer with the non-profit The Teal Schoolhouse. Its primary program is Code Ana. Code Ana equips schools for medical emergencies like anaphylaxis.
Code Ana’s Online Epinephrine Training Program helps support that goal. Through this program, you will educate yourself while you support this important mission!
A medical emergency response plan is important for everyone at any school. Code Ana’s program Med-E Ready is a comprehensive approach to school-focused medical preparedness. This program guides schools through the process of creating a medical emergency response plan. A response team is also developed! This is one of the most important components of a school’s food allergy policy!
Does your kiddo’s school have Code Ana?
Remember, Dr. Hoyt is an allergist, but she isn’t your allergist, so talk with your allergist about what you’ve just learned!