Allergology

OIT is a treatment option for immediate-type food allergies (e.g. to nuts, milk or eggs). The allergy-causing food is taken in small, increasing quantities - with the aim of slowly acclimatising the body to it.

• Protection against allergic reactions in the event of accidental ingestion.
• Reduction of the risk of severe reactions.
• Frequent: Reabsorption in the diet with regular intake.
• If possible: Elimination of the emergency kit (only for individual sensitisation).

1. Start with a provocation test
   The individual reaction threshold is determined here. Sometimes an infusion is necessary. Duration: several hours (3/4 of the day).
2. Daily intake from the following day
   The dose is taken daily at home.
3. Regular dose increase in hospital (every 2-4 weeks)
   These appointments last approx. 1.5 hours and include monitoring.
4. Reaching the maintenance dose (e.g. 1-3 cashews)
   The maintenance dose is taken every 1-2 days for at least 18 months.
5. Follow-up checks every 6-9 months
   Including assessment of tolerance and blood sampling.
6. After approx. 18 months: repeat provocation test
   Aim: To assess whether larger quantities can be tolerated without reaction.
7. Long-term intake
   Lifelong regular intake required to maintain effect.

• Frequent: mild allergic symptoms (e.g. itching in the mouth, skin rash, abdominal pain).
• Rare: severe allergic reactions (e.g. shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure).
• Very rare: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE): inflammation of the oesophagus with symptoms such as vomiting, difficulty swallowing or pain when eating. This side effect is usually easily treatable and reversible.

The following points are important to ensure that the therapy can be carried out safely:

• Emergency kit including adrenaline pen always to hand
• Observation by an adult (at least 1 hour after ingestion)
• Do not take if you have a fever or infection (please contact the OIT team)
• No sport shortly before and 2 hours after ingestion
• No warm bath/shower 2 hours after ingestion
• No painkillers such as ibuprofen (NSAR) 4 hours before/after ingestion
• In case of reactions or break in intake >2 days: Always contact the OIT team and divide the dose into 2 halves, take 30 minutes apart.
• Outside of therapy: Continue to strictly avoid the allergen
• Take after meals: for better tolerance

If the portions cannot be taken over a longer period of time, e.g. in the case of infections, the dose must be reduced in certain cases. If your child has not taken the portions, you should contact the allergy team immediately to decide how to proceed with the therapy.

Our OIT team will guide you and your child closely through the therapy. We provide you with clear instructions every step of the way - for safe and successful therapy. Get in touch with us: or +41 61 704 27 70