Anyone heard of LDA (Low dose allergen)? Seems dangerous/fake. Any experiences?

[Devin]

I've developed several food allergies along with fragrance sensitivities in my late teens. I've come to accept them and avoid them strictly.

Today my mom came to me all excited. She said there are allergy shots that can cure food allergies called LDA. I did some searching on it and only found info on websites I've never heard of. I knew before I'd look it up this would be a part of the homeopathic practice (which she falls for).

This seems really dangerous to me. Allergy shots for seasonal allergies are already risky. And I know food allergies are a whole nother beast and food allergy shots are not even a thing. Even studies on microdosing food to build tolerance is considered very risky.

Does anyone here have experience with LDA? Does it work? This looks too good to be real.

[CMdeux]

Hi Devin!  Welcome.

Yes, allergy SHOTS for foods-- definitely NOT a thing.

On the other hand, food allergy desensitization is becoming a thing.  I say that with caution, however-- the practitioners who do this tend to be VERY much specialists.  They are often housed in major research hospitals, they have publications and credentials as long as one's arm, etc. etc.

Does it work?  Well, in a word-- yes.  For the 80-95% of patients that it works for, that is.  Yes, it IS risky.  There are major researchers that qualify that this is very definitely NOT NOT NOT ready for clinical use at all.  Then there are (nearly-so-eminent) physicians that claim that it's fine and they have a protocol that works and is safe.  Nobody has died yet, so there is that-- and at this point, while firm numbers are somewhat difficult to establish nationwide, at LEAST several thousand people have certainly done it.

We have members here who have done desensitization.   


The other possibility, depending upon where you live, is SLIT, which is VERY safe, and has been used in the EU for many many years.  SLIT is only FDA approved here for seasonal pollen allergy, but it does work.  The problem is that only a few (very very few) places do it and you have to live near one of them.

If you say VERY roughly where you are located, we might be able to steer you toward the legit practitioners in the area and away from the Woo/Homepathic sort. 

[Devin]

Hi Devin!  Welcome.

Yes, allergy SHOTS for foods-- definitely NOT a thing.

On the other hand, food allergy desensitization is becoming a thing.  I say that with caution, however-- the practitioners who do this tend to be VERY much specialists.  They are often housed in major research hospitals, they have publications and credentials as long as one's arm, etc. etc.

Does it work?  Well, in a word-- yes.  For the 80-95% of patients that it works for, that is.  Yes, it IS risky.  There are major researchers that qualify that this is very definitely NOT NOT NOT ready for clinical use at all.  Then there are (nearly-so-eminent) physicians that claim that it's fine and they have a protocol that works and is safe.  Nobody has died yet, so there is that-- and at this point, while firm numbers are somewhat difficult to establish nationwide, at LEAST several thousand people have certainly done it.

We have members here who have done desensitization.   


The other possibility, depending upon where you live, is SLIT, which is VERY safe, and has been used in the EU for many many years.  SLIT is only FDA approved here for seasonal pollen allergy, but it does work.  The problem is that only a few (very very few) places do it and you have to live near one of them.

If you say VERY roughly where you are located, we might be able to steer you toward the legit practitioners in the area and away from the Woo/Homepathic sort. 

Wow I've heard of SLIT. Had no idea you could use it for foods too. I'm guessing it won't cure it. But lessens the severity? That would be nice as someone who's cooking with eggs the smell will trigger me. Which is hard to avoid when restraunts everywhere cook with eggs. I'm in Indiana

[hedgehog]

My PA son went through desensitization.  He can now eat anything that has a may contain or shared equipment warning.  And if accidently took a bite of something with peanuts, not knowing, he would be fine.  He eats 3 peanut M&Ms a day as a maintenance dose.  He is a lucky one.  Most people going through the process hot a rough patch when the dose gives minor reactions.  This never happened to him.

But then there is my nephew's wife.  She tried to go through a very similar protocol, but had a couple of anaphylactic reactions in the office, and had to pull out of the study.  So it really does vary from person to person. 

If you have questions about desensitization, I will be happy to answer whatever I can.

[rebekahc]

Hi Devin,

I know there's a clinic in La Crosse, WI that some members have used for oral desensitization/SLIT that is highly regarded.  Not sure how far that would be for you...

[lakeswimr]

Mainstream allergists do not do shots for food allergies.  There was a study about 10 years ago or so and one child died when they tried developing shots for food allergies.   

There is oral desensitization as others have said and my son did it for two foods.  He is now not considered peanut allergic at all anymore and he can eat all but raw forms of eggs now.