At the Allergy & Asthma Center of North Carolina, we use a detailed history from the patient as well as skin testing and blood work, if needed, to diagnose food allergies. We help patients realize the risk of food allergies and discuss avoidance strategies, including diet alternatives.
We work with a Registered Dietitian who can help patients with avoidance measures and ensure that food-allergic patients are getting a balanced diet. This is especially important in food-allergic children.
We also offer the latest in food allergy treatment, including Xolair (omalizumab) injections and oral immunotherapy.
Food Challenges
We perform food challenges to introduce foods back into the diet. The decision to do food challenges is based on testing as well as the reaction that occurred, which prompted the concern for the food allergy. Food challenges are performed in our office in a safe environment where we can treat anaphylaxis, if it should occur. We have private rooms for the food challenges, many of which include a TV.
Oral Immunotherapy
If needed, we specialize in oral immunotherapy, which is a technique that builds tolerance of a given food or foods and allows introduction of the food into the diet. Oral immunotherapy requires weekly visits for 3-4 months as we increase the dose. We work with the Food Allergy Support Team, an international group of allergists who perform food oral immunotherapy and have established protocols for many different foods, including peanut, tree nut, milk and sesame.
