Latitude Food Allergy Care 2024: Control Your Food Allergies

Dr. Jaspreet Dhami is a leading food allergy specialist at Latitude Food Allergy Care, where she plays a crucial role in transforming the lives of families affected by food allergies. With a deep commitment to personalized care and life-saving treatments, Dr. Dhami and the Latitude team work tirelessly to offer innovative solutions, ensuring that families can live safer, fuller lives free from the fear of food allergies. Her dedication is rooted in a mission to provide exceptional care from diagnosis to long-term support, making a profound impact on the food allergy community. DeliveryRank finds out more.

What are the most common symptoms of food allergies, and how do they differ between children and adults?

The most common symptoms of food allergies include hives, swelling, breathing issues such as shortness of breath, cough or wheezing as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. These symptoms typically start within minutes to 1-2 hours after eating an allergen. Symptoms can differ between adults and children, but there is also significant overlap. In children we often see skin reactions such as hives, vomiting, as well as behavioral changes such as increased irritability. Adults can often experience wheezing and shortness of breath, and more severe reactions. Both children and adults can experience severe reactions such as anaphylaxis, especially if they have coexisting asthma. 

How does early exposure to allergens like peanuts, eggs, and dairy help in the prevention of food allergies in children?

Early exposure to allergens such as peanut, egg and dairy between 4-6 months of age is crucial to prevent the development of food allergies. Several key clinical trials in food allergy have demonstrated that early introduction can reduce the risk of developing food allergies. The LEAP study, published in 2015 was particularly influential, and demonstrated that early introduction of peanut between 4-11 months of age significantly reduced the risk of developing a peanut allergy by 81%, compared to those who avoided peanuts. Regular and consistent exposure is especially important in maintaining tolerance. 

What are the latest advancements in the treatment of food allergies, including oral immunotherapy and other emerging therapies?

There have been many recent advancements in the field of food allergy that have significantly improved patient safety and quality of life. We are very excited that the FDA just approved Neffy, a non-injection method for delivering epinephrine. This approval is a very welcome progress for many patients, especially those with needle phobias as it is a nasal spray formulation of epinephrine. There are also  life-changing advancements in food allergy treatment including oral immunotherapy (OIT) and Xolair (omalizumab). Under careful clinical supervision, OIT can desensitize patients to their allergens by building up the body’s tolerance to those foods, while the biologic Xolair can provide protection from accidental exposures to food allergens. Research is also ongoing for therapies such as EPIT (Epicutaneous Immunotherapy), SLIT (Sublingual immunotherapy), as well as other promising monoclonal antibodies. 

How do allergists accurately diagnose food allergies, and what are the most reliable testing methods available?

Diagnosing food allergies involves a combination of the clinical history and physical examination, skin prick testing as well as serum-specific IgE testing. Component testing is also available for egg, cows milk, peanut and tree nut allergies which can help improve diagnostic accuracy. Oral food challenges are often done to rule in or rule out allergy, and are the gold standard for diagnosing a food allergy.

What long-term care strategies are recommended for individuals living with food allergies to ensure safety and improve quality of life?

It’s extremely important for individuals living with food allergies to establish care with an allergist that they trust. It is always important to read labels carefully, communicate their allergies when at restaurants and social gatherings, as well as carry two emergency epinephrine devices at all times.  

If you would like to find out more about Dr. Jaspreet Dhami, please visit https://latitudefoodallergycare.com/