Food Allergy Solutions in Arlington, TX

Comprehensive Care for Pediatric and Adult Allergies

Food allergies are quite rare, affecting only 4% of adults and up to 6% of children. If you or a loved one have a food allergy, our team at Cure Allergy Clinic located in Arlington, Texas, provides both sublingual therapy (allergy drops) and food desensitization to address food allergies, including unusual food allergies. Needless to say, you can rely on Dr. M. Waseem Imam, D.O., our board-certified specialist in pediatric and adult allergies.

Find out more by calling (817) 774-9320 requesting a consultation online today.

Understanding Food Allergies: Key Information

A food allergy is an immune response that occurs when your body overreacts to a type of food by incorrectly identifying it as dangerous. This overreaction triggers a protective response and allergy symptoms. A food allergy is most common in toddlers and children, but anyone can develop a food allergy at any age. You can eat a certain food for years with no problems, and then develop an allergy to that food.

Symptoms of a food allergy may involve your:

• Skin
• Gastrointestinal tract
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory tract

Food allergies that affect your gastrointestinal tract can worsen conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, or eosinophilic disorders, which are inflammatory blood disorders related to an excess of white blood cells.

The Food Program at Cure Allergy Clinic

The food program at cure allergy clinic focusing on decreasing the threshold for severe anaphylaxis reactions to food. We do this via a few mechanisms:

• We desensitize to non-food allergens that may worsen a severe allergic reaction. Uncontrolled asthma, respiratory issues, or allergic lung conditions drastically increase the risk of a life-threatening food reaction. Large part of deaths from food allergy occur due to respiratory failure. We start the program reducing this risk as much as possible by testing for inhalant allergies (dust mites, trees, weed, grasses, molds, and animals), and treating them. Several of these allergies cross react with food allergies, so we can reduce the food allergy indirectly. This will also reduce the risk of developing asthma or treat it, and help treat allergic rhinitis, sinus issues, and skin issues that may be due to environmental allergies. Our treatment for this usually inducing long term remission of the environmental allergies.
• We introduce the allergic food via the sublingual route (under the tongue), and very low doses and slowly increase them over time. We call this Food sublingual immunotherapy or Food SLIT. This involves a vial with a pump we give you, that contains very small amounts of food protein. This route is convenient (requires less trips to the doctor’s office), is done at home, and much safer than oral immunotherapy.
• We introduce cross reactive foods. Food allergies usually come in pairs, and many proteins in nature may be available in more than one food in various amounts. We can use these foods in an attempt to make someone “less allergic” to the main food they are allergic to. For example, someone allergic to walnuts is very likely to have a pecan allergy as well. If you treat one, the other nut is better tolerated.

Our primary goal is to decrease the allergic burden of the food and give piece of mind by decreasing the risk of a life-threatening reaction to the foods. Each person’s progress differs. Some patients go on to complete remission of the food, but most are able to tolerate a little more than they could before. The program is not a replacement for avoidance. Most studies show that parents of children with food allergies want a safe method to decrease their risk, as opposed to having them eat the food freely. We created this protocol to give parents that option.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I manage food allergies with dietary changes alone?

While dietary changes are essential for managing food allergies, they may not be sufficient to eliminate all risks. Strict allergen avoidance and careful food label reading are crucial, but accidental exposures can still happen.

How can I help my child cope with food allergies at school?

Communicate with your child's school nurse and teachers about your child's allergies. Develop an allergy action plan and ensure that the school has emergency medications on hand. Encourage your child to participate in social activities and avoid feeling isolated.

Can I travel with food allergies?

Traveling with food allergies requires careful planning. Research local food options and allergen-friendly restaurants. Pack allergen-free snacks and medications, and carry a translation card explaining your allergies in the local language.

When should I see an allergist?

If you or your child experiences symptoms of a food allergy, such as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or digestive issues, it's important to consult with an allergist for proper diagnosis and management.

To learn more about food allergy solutions in Arlington, TX, contact us online or give us a call at (817) 774-9320 today.