Peanut Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
A consultant-supervised programme to increase peanut tolerance, helping children and families live with less fear of accidental exposure.
What is peanut oral immunotherapy?
Peanut oral immunotherapy is a structured desensitisation programme designed to increase the amount of peanut protein the immune system can tolerate before reacting. The goal is not a cure, but a genuine buffer: reducing the risk that accidental contact with small amounts of peanut triggers a severe reaction.
How the programme works
Peanut OIT begins with a careful assessment to confirm eligibility. Once accepted onto the programme, your child will attend regular clinic appointments to receive gradually increasing doses of peanut protein in a controlled, clinical setting. Between visits, your child takes a daily maintenance dose at home.
Dose increases (up dosing) always happen in clinic with Dr Sood and clinical support staff present. Maintenance doses at home are at a level already reached safely in hospital.
Eligibility
Peanut OIT is considered for children with a confirmed IgE-mediated peanut allergy whose current management is affecting daily life. A thorough pre-programme assessment is essential, including a review of recent allergy tests and an assessment of overall health. OIT is not appropriate for children with uncontrolled asthma, certain immune conditions, or other health factors that make the programme less safe to start. This is assessed at consultation.
Safety
All up dosing visits take place in a clinical setting with trained clinical staff and full emergency equipment. Parents and carers receive written guidance on recognising and managing reactions at home, including clear instructions for adrenaline auto-injector use and when to call 999.
If your child is having a severe allergic reaction, call 999 immediately or go to your nearest A&E. Do not wait. Always carry prescribed emergency medication as directed by your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
No. OIT is not for everyone. Children need a thorough allergy assessment first, including recent blood tests and, where appropriate, a supervised food challenge. Dr Sood will discuss eligibility fully at the consultation.
All dose increases (up dosing visits) take place in a clinical setting with full emergency support on site. Home doses are at the maintenance level reached in clinic.
All dose visits take place in a clinical environment with trained staff and emergency equipment immediately available. Parents receive clear written guidance on how to manage reactions at home, including when to use emergency medication and when to call 999.
Most programmes take between 12 and 18 months from the first up dosing visit to reaching a stable maintenance dose. Individual timelines vary.
Ready to discuss oral immunotherapy?
Book a consultation to discuss whether OIT is right for your child. Consultations available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.