CUTTING-EDGE TREATMENTS FOR FOOD ALLERGIES
Whether you have been living with food allergy for years or have not been diagnosed, our board-certified allergist and food allergy specialists at PVMG can help! Palos Verdes Medical Group (PVMG) offers a complete food allergy program using the most cutting-edge treatments. We offer customized food allergy treatment plans that often include oral food challenges and the coveted oral immunotherapy (OIT).
TAKE ACTION
At PVMG, we take a whole team approach. The first step is an evaluation by a member of PVMG’s food allergy team. The assessment includes a thorough history and physical. It may also include various blood tests, skin tests, and possibly an Oral Food Challenge. Each patient’s allergies, reactions, and health history are unique, and this evaluation is essential to determine the best path towards food allergy freedom. Our goal is to mitigate the risk of a life-threatening reaction due to accidental exposure, allowing patients the ability to enjoy eating at restaurants, birthday parties, baseball games, and anywhere else they wish!
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SYMPTOMS
90% of food reactions are caused by just nine types of foods: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, soy, and sesame. If you have a baby, it’s important to note that when introducing a new food or top allergen, that you have discussed with your pediatrician what to do in case of a reaction.
Understanding which food is causing your symptoms is key to our team approach. That’s because many food allergies can cause a broad range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Food allergy symptoms may appear immediately or after a delay. Common symptoms include:
- Itching of the tongue or mouth
- Swelling of lips or tongue
- Tightness of throat
- Rash or hives
- Cough or wheezing
- Vomiting/cramps
FOOD ALLERGY AND PEANUT ALLERGY RESEARCH STUDIES
The good news for family members who are food allergic is that food allergy treatment is constantly improving and evolving. Our physicians stay up-to-date with the latest food allergy treatments and even conduct food allergy research and treatments that have not yet been released to the general public. PVMG affiliate, Peninsula Research Associates (next door to PVMG), is conducting two clinical research trials for a new treatment that may alleviate some of the burden caused by food allergy and lower the risk of a severe allergic reaction.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 55 and have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy, you may be able to take part in a research study for a new peanut allergy treatment. Click here for more information.
PRA is also conducting an oral immunotherapy research study for peoples ages 4 to 55 with one or more allergies to the following foods: almond, cashew, chicken eggs, codfish, cow’s milk, hazelnut, peanut, pecan, pistachio, salmon, sesame seed, shrimp, soy, walnut, or wheat. This study aims to mitigate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur following accidental exposure to one of the allergens being tested. Click here to learn more about this study.
For more information, please email info@peninsularesearch.com or call our food allergy research team at 310-265-1623. You may also submit your contact information on our website, www.peninsularesearch.com.
ALLERGIC REACTION! WHEN TO GET HELP.
Please call your physician if you are experiencing mild allergy symptoms such as a rash, hives, itchiness, etc. If you are having trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.