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Food allergies can create uncertainty around daily meals and long-term health. Our team provides accurate testing and targeted treatment plans to help you avoid reactions and feel confident in your food choices.
Around 8% of U.S. children face food allergies, a number that grows yearly. This can make situations like eating out or birthday parties stressful for families. Traditionally, managing these allergies meant avoiding certain foods and using emergency medication like epinephrine during reactions. Responses can vary from mild to life-threatening, even with tiny amounts of the allergen. This avoidance is challenging, increasing anxiety and impacting family well-being.
Food Immunotherapy (IT) offers a safe and promising treatment by raising the anaphylactic threshold, reducing adverse reactions, and improving the quality of life for those affected.
In Eastlake, food immunotherapy involves administering small, gradually increasing doses of a specific food to reduce or prevent reactions from accidental exposure. This approach can lead to "free eating" or sustained unresponsiveness, significantly improving the quality of life. Fostering food tolerance and reducing the severity of allergic responses enhances life for both children and their caregivers.
Food allergy testing specialist Dr. Brian Modena and his team in Eastlake ensure accurate diagnoses and provide safe treatment options for food allergies, helping families regain peace of mind.
Anaphylactic food reactions can be severe and life-threatening, even with just a bite. Avoiding certain foods is often challenging for families, causing anxiety and impacting the quality of life. However, a positive skin or blood test doesn’t always indicate a true allergy or risk of anaphylaxis. In Eastlake, many food allergy tests yield false positives, particularly when values are borderline. To confirm a diagnosis, an in-office "open food challenge" (OFC) offers a safe and structured method to determine if you or your child is truly allergic and at risk of severe reactions.
Food-specific IgE Blood Tests: Diagnoses immediate, sometimes severe food allergies - Involves a simple blood draw - Can produce false positives
Skin Prick Tests: Introduce allergens under the skin with a small lancet - Safe and sensitive - Risk of false positives
Open Food Challenge (OFC):- Conducted in-office under supervision - Involves consuming increasing amounts of suspect food in a controlled setting - Considered the "gold standard" for confirming food allergies
Results timing depends on the type of test. Skin prick tests provide answers in minutes, whereas blood tests might take up to a week. The Modena Health team will assess the results and develop a tailored treatment plan for you.
If you're noticing unexplained symptoms or allergic reactions during or shortly after meals, you might be dealing with a food allergy.
If you notice unexplained symptoms or allergic reactions during or shortly after eating, it might be time to investigate further. Look out for skin reactions like itchiness, hives, flushing, or swelling in areas such as the face, hands, or feet. Pay attention to any discomfort in your mouth or throat, such as itching or swelling.
Stomach issues like pain, cramps, and vomiting can occur.
In more serious cases, breathing may become difficult, with wheezing and coughing. A rapid heartbeat or fainting sensations might be experienced during severe reactions.
Traditionally, managing food allergies has meant avoiding allergens and having rescue medications, such as epinephrine, on hand. Recently, Food Immunotherapy (IT) has transformed this approach.
By gradually exposing individuals to small, increasing amounts of the allergenic food, IT helps desensitize them and reduces severe reactions from accidental exposures. For some, this may lead to "free eating," where they can consume these foods without restrictions. This therapy significantly improves quality of life by minimizing the impact of food allergies and restoring a sense of normalcy.
Food Immunotherapy aims to reduce reactivity to specific foods through a process called "desensitization." This involves gradually introducing small amounts of the allergen over time.
Oral immunotherapy (OIT) involves the daily consumption of increasing quantities of the food, whereas sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) utilizes a liquid extract placed under the tongue for 2 minutes. SLIT is very safe but may not achieve "sustained unresponsiveness" as effectively. Introducing controlled doses, Food Immunotherapy helps build tolerance and lessen allergic reactions, reducing anxiety associated with allergies and improving quality of life.
Growing awareness is transforming allergy management.
With a free consultation to discuss your child's needs, Dr. Modena and his team identify allergens through thorough testing and work together to create a personalized treatment plan using proven methods from top clinical studies.
Your involvement ensures the chosen pathway aligns perfectly with your family's needs. Treatment typically lasts 1-4 years, aiming to protect your child from accidental food exposure and improve their quality of life.
Regular reassessment helps maintain safety and gradually allows for more dietary freedom.
Food immunotherapy (IT) is tailored for individuals with severe food allergies, such as to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, or soy. Eligibility is determined individually, taking into account blood test results (specific IgE), age, reaction severity, and adherence to protocols.
Choose Modena Food Allergy Testing for reliable, research-backed care. Our focus is on evidence-based treatments, ensuring your safety with an adverse reaction rate of less than 1%.
We offer 24/7 support and financial assistance to eligible families, never leaving a child behind. Our clinic prioritizes transparent, evidence-based methods to enhance patient well-being and is dedicated to providing safe, cost-effective treatments grounded in scientific research, while setting realistic goals together. Unverified treatments aren't part of our practice; we avoid unnecessary testing unless it truly benefits treatment outcomes. Modena ensures fair pricing and personalized care with constant support availability.
Dr. Modena has spent over ten years researching machine learning, AI, and genomics at The Scripps Research Institute and National Jewish Health. He uses machine learning to predict food allergy outcomes, but stresses that successful treatment relies on dedication, a balanced diet, and patience. At Modena Allergy + Asthma - Eastlake, we strive to offer safe and affordable treatments supported by rigorous research. We advise against using food immunotherapy with unverified methods that lack acceptance in the medical community. Food immunotherapy has been studied for 10-15 years, with studies outlining its benefits and limitations. The process is straightforward for your family to understand.
Food Immunotherapy, or food allergy desensitization, gradually introduces small amounts of allergens to build tolerance and lessen reactions. This method can significantly reduce fear and anxiety related to food allergies, allowing patients to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.
By retraining the body's response, it offers peace of mind during unforeseen exposures. Some patients even achieve lasting tolerance, known as "sustained hyperresponsiveness."
As a child, Dr. Brian Modena experienced severe asthma and food allergies firsthand, inspiring his dedication to help others with similar challenges. At Modena Allergy + Asthma - Eastlake, our team provides compassionate care for patients of all ages, utilizing effective therapies that promote better breathing and peace of mind. Our goal is to make family meals less stressful by offering proven food allergy desensitization techniques. Dr. Modena's extensive research background ensures treatments are safe and affordable.
Schedule a consultation today to explore how we can support your family's health journey.
Food Immunotherapy is becoming a popular method for managing food allergies. Many patients and allergists see it as an effective treatment option that helps the body gradually adapt to allergens, offering hope and relief to those affected.
Oral Immunotherapy, when overseen by skilled allergists or nurse practitioners, is generally safe. Anaphylactic reactions are rare and can often be managed at home without needing emergency care. Instances of children experiencing severe reactions during food immunotherapy are uncommon.
Some patients achieve "sustained unresponsiveness," safely consuming allergenic foods. Others may not reach this point, but still benefit from increased thresholds for anaphylactic reactions, which reduces severity and enhances "bite protection."
Food Immunotherapy costs vary based on individual needs and the duration of treatment. During your complimentary consultation, we'll provide detailed pricing to ensure you have a clear understanding of what to expect.
Most insurance plans do not cover the costs of food immunotherapy.
