At NGPG we understand how stressful it can be if you or a loved one suffer from a peanut allergy. Food allergies can be tricky to navigate, which is why Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Allergy and Asthma provides comprehensive allergy testing and treatment for our patients across North Georgia.
Peanut allergies are the result of the immune system mistakenly recognizing peanut proteins as being harmful. This issue causes the body to release chemicals that result in uncomfortable or life-threatening allergy symptoms.
Our NGPG Allergy and Asthma locations are approved sites to provide the first FDA approved treatment for peanut allergy. Palforzia® is an oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) for peanut allergic children ages 4 to 17. The treatment functions as a safety net in cases of accidental ingestion or cross-contamination. However, it is not a cure for peanut allergy and patients still must adhere to a peanut free diet and maintain injectable epinephrine to be used in cases of severe allergic reactions.
If you or a loved one are dealing with a peanut allergy and are seeking medical help, you can rely on NGPG Allergy and Asthma to deliver accurate testing and advanced treatment options to give you peace of mind.
Symptoms of a peanut allergy?
The symptoms of a peanut allergy can vary depending on the severity of your specific allergy. When you consume or come into contact with peanuts or products containing them, you may experience reaction symptoms immediately or in the following hours or days. Some common symptoms of a peanut allergy may include:
- Swelling in the face, lips and tongue
- Developing hives or a rash
- Difficulty breathing and wheezing
- Nausea and abdominal pain
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rapid heartbeat
In patients with severe allergies, anaphylaxis may occur. Anaphylaxis causes symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, extreme facial swelling and dizziness. This type of reaction can be life threatening, if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.
What causes a peanut allergy?
Peanut allergies are caused by an abnormal immune response to peanut proteins. The immune system incorrectly identifies peanut proteins as being harmful, causing a physical reaction when they are ingested. The symptoms caused by an allergic reaction to peanuts occur when the immune system triggers the release of chemicals into the bloodstream meant to help “fight off” the allergen. These chemicals are the source of the common symptoms associated with peanut allergies.
Who’s at risk for a peanut allergy?
While anyone can develop a peanut allergy, some are at a higher risk than others. Some risk factors for the development of a peanut allergy can include:
- Having other allergies
- Family history of peanut allergies
- Being under the age of 18
- Having eczema or asthma
How is a peanut allergy diagnosed?
In many cases, a peanut allergy diagnosis occurs when a patient has had an allergic reaction after consuming peanuts or peanut products and seeks medical attention. In the case that you suspect you or a loved one may have a peanut allergy and are seeking a diagnosis, your provider can assist in a few ways. Some common routes for peanut allergy diagnosis may include:
- Keeping a food diary
Your provider may ask you to keep a log of your daily eating habits and any symptoms that may occur. - Skin testing
This test involves pricking the skin and introducing a small amount of the suspected allergen. If you’re allergic, your skin will develop a visible reaction, confirming a diagnosis. - Blood testing
Blood testing can measure your body’s immune response to certain foods by checking the amount of immunoglobin E (IgE) antibodies in your bloodstream.
How is a peanut allergy treated?
For people with peanut allergies, the most common approach to handling a peanut allergy is avoiding foods that contain or are exposed to peanuts. However, peanuts are commonly found in everyday foods. For those seeking an added layer of protection against a peanut allergy, NGPG Allergy and Asthma offers the first ever FDA approved oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) for peanut allergies, Palforzia®.
What is Palforzia®?
Palforzia® is an oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) to help reduce the risk of reaction in peanut allergic patients. Patients receive increasing doses of Palforzia® in the NGPG Allergy and Asthma office and at home in order to become desensitized to peanut. This means it would take a larger exposure to peanut to trigger an allergic reaction.
Patients are introduced to peanut protein in gradually increasing amounts over the course of the first few months of therapy. This is done by mixing the contents of the Palforzia® capsules into a soft food (applesauce, pudding, yogurt, etc.) and taking the doses once per day at home.
The treatment itself is not a cure, but rather an additional layer of protection against severe reactions. Patients must still adhere to a strict peanut free diet during and after treatment. NGPG Allergy and Asthma also still recommends all peanut allergic patients have an epinephrine autoinjector in cases of a severe allergic reaction.
Who should get Palforzia®?
Patients ages 4-17 with a confirmed peanut allergy may qualify for Palforzia® treatment. Patients should be aware that Palforzia® requires a long-term commitment involving frequent office visits during the up-dosing phase. Because the schedule is demanding, this form of treatment may not work for all patients.
Those with eosinophilic esophagitis or uncontrolled asthma cannot receive the treatment.
What are the advantages of Palforzia®?
The main benefit of this treatment is development of a “safety net” in case a child accidentally ingests a food containing peanut. This medication has been shown to increase the amount of peanut needed to trigger a reaction and to decrease the severity of reaction in cases of accidental ingestion. This provides peace of mind for patients and their care givers.
Treatment with Palforzia® has been life changing for many of our peanut allergic patients. Learn more about the success of our peanut allergy treatment options in this Palforzia® testimonial video.
What happens during Palforzia® treatment?
Treatment does require significant commitment on the part of the patient’s family. There are 12 visits for treatments in the office as well as a commitment to take the treatment every day at home. Since this is not a cure, the treatment must be continued daily, possibly indefinitely, in order to sustain protection. Researchers are investigating whether it may be possible for some patients to successfully discontinue the treatment at some point.
There are a total of 13 visits for treatment which must be done at either of our NGPG Allergy and Asthma locations. For the course of the treatment, you can expect the following:
- Visit One
This visit involves a screening visit at which time the history and physical will be performed, appropriate testing done, and paperwork will be completed. - Visit Two
The initial dose escalation (IDE) visit consists of 5 increasing doses of Palforzia®. Patients should expect this visit to last up to 4.5 hours. - Visit Three
The following day, your child will come in to receive their daily dose of Palforzia® which would be continued at home. - Biweekly Visits
Every 2 weeks, your child will return for the next up-dosing visit. - Final Visit
At the 11th up-dosing visit, your child will receive the maintenance dosage of Palforzia® which they will continue at home indefinitely.
Choose NGPG for peanut allergy treatment
If you or a loved one are dealing with the stress caused by a peanut allergy, ask your provider about Palforzia®. If you are looking for added protection and peace-of-mind, you can rely on our team of allergists at NGPG Allergy and Asthma to provide Palforzia®, the first oral immunotherapy treatment for peanut allergies approved by the FDA.
At NGPG Allergy and Asthma, our goal is to help your family achieve a healthy and stress-free life. Our providers offer diagnosis and advanced treatment options to find the best solutions for you or a loved one’s peanut allergy.