Life After Oral Immunotherapy

Oral immunotherapy, essentially a cure for food allergies. Although, after completing OIT many years ago, it never cured my hatred for eating tree nuts, or the airborne sickness I feel when someone opens a package of peanuts nearby. If one completes OIT they are desensitized to the allergen, but can this allergen still affect how one goes about their life?

In my life, I have been allergic to cashews and pistachios. I completed oral immunotherapy for these two types of nuts almost four years ago. Although I was only allergic to two types of nuts, I still cannot bring myself to eat any of the 20+ kinds of nuts that exist in any type of entrée. Could this be because my brain is now hardwired to believe any kind of nut means danger? 

Although it is not talked about often enough, having food allergies affects one’s mental health. FARE research revealed that nearly 70% of food allergy centers treat patients with food allergy-related panic attacks. Research shows a strong correlation between food allergies and mental health. After experiencing the mental effects of having an allergy, it is difficult to revert back to one’s original way of thinking. 

I do not blame my brain for its way of thinking. After having one or two anaphylactic responses to eating tree nuts, it makes sense that my stomach turns when a fresh bag of salted tree nuts is opened nearby. It is completely okay to complete an oral food challenge and continue to avoid that same food! Completing OIT is about opening opportunities to live comfortably and to rid the fear over eating food. Remember, the choice is yours and what you're comfortable with when it comes to eating unfamiliar foods! Having food allergies can be draining on one’s mental health, it is important to understand it is okay and normal to seek help when needed.

Image source: snacksafely.com