Eating should be fun, not cause for fear. But for children with food allergies, the condition transforms even simple pleasures like parties and picnics into dangerous minefields. Instead of resigning themselves to a lifetime of avoidance and exclusion, food allergy sufferers can now take action and embrace the promise of desensitization therapy. In The Food Allergy Fix, board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Sakina Bajowala discusses how allergies can be managed through sublingual and oral immunotherapy, which retrains overactive immune systems through the precise administration of foods. Combining rich history and current scientific research, Dr. Bajowala arms parents and patients with the tools they need to begin working with a trained immunologist, while walking readers through her innovative and holistic treatment process. The incredible success of Dr. Bajowala’s integrative approach proves that it is possible to live in a world free from the chains of a food allergy diagnosis. This book is the first step toward reclaiming freedom.
My daughter has been a patient of Dr. Bajowala’s for probably close to 5 years now. This book accurately touches on the countless ways that Dr. B has approached her care over the years - helping us manage her eczema when other doctors weren’t truly listening to me (or at least not believing me) when I said that I thought food was causing her flare ups (and giving several specific, practical recommendations for eczema management,) utilizing patch testing for non-IgE allergies, controlling seasonal allergies, and most recently OIT. Her book speaks not just about the OIT process but all that must be done to prepare the whole body to be ready for it. We’ve directly benefited from her personalized approach to care and I think this is an excellent resource for anyone considering the treatment. Even as the parent of a patient, I gained additional insight into what drives some of her thinking and recommendations.
My son has a severe peanut allergy, and we are considering OIT as a potential treatment to reduce his food related anxiety and drastically reduce his risk of anaphylaxis. I’ve read bits and pieces about the treatment, from various sources, but this book was incredible in the amount of information it gave. It tells me what we should expect before, during and following treatment, what we need to do to prepare, how OIT specifically works with the immune system, etc. What a wonderful resource and gift to parents like myself, who only want our children to be able to eat food safely, without fear of a major reaction.
There wasn't much in this book that was new to me because I've been researching and reading about Oral Immunotherapy for at least a few years. However, I *love* that this book exists because it is a great resource for others with food allergies and the people who care about them.
We started OIT for peanut in July 2018 (this month!) and I am really looking forward to the freedoms we all feel once my daughter completes her journey with it!