food allergy question - “temporary” shot?

[Anonymous]

DS has peanut and multiple nut allergies. He wants to travel in southeast asia with friends and peanuts and other nuts are prevalent in the foods and there will be a language barrier.

He said his allergist (at college, I’ve never met the doctor) told him that he can get a shot that temporarily de-sensitizes one so that they will still be allergic to peanuts but less likely to have an anaphylactic reaction. Obviously one would still carry an epi pen and need to take precautions. The allergist said this could be a good idea before the trip.

I have never heard of this - has anyone else?

Obviously we will discuss it with a doctor but I wanted to crowd source because I don’t want DS to get his hopes up - after years of visiting the allergist with DS no one has ever said this to us so I am suspicious.

[Anonymous]

My son was in a clinical trial using Xolair to help desensitize him for Oral Immuniotherapy for peanuts / tree nuts.

I think I read it was recently approved for that use. Before it was being used off label. It is actually originally for asthma I think.

It is really expensive. Make sure your insurance will pay for it because I think each shot was like $1500.

[Anonymous]

Xolair. Yes. My DD is on it during college. Very expensive but protected her when they gave her a wheat tortilla after confirming it was gluten free. She had a stomach ache and felt bad but no hospital visit. Highly recommend. You may be eligible for copay assistance to lower cost. It was an ordeal to get approved and first three shots were supervised, but she now self-injects monthly at college.

[Anonymous]

Note that the benefits from Xolair take several months to take effect. If this is a trip this summer, not enough time.

[Anonymous]

PP with college daughter. Yes. We waited after several injections before a food challenge. Summer won’t be enough time.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Maybe DS misunderstood, but I was under the impression that this is a one-time thing, not on-going like Xolair shots.

[Anonymous]

My son gets a Xolair shot every other week. He’s currently doing immunotherapy for his egg allergy. About a month ago, he had an accidental nut ingestion. This typically would have resulted in use of the epi-pen and rushing to the ER. Instead, he had mild tingling in his mouth. We took him to the ER and they determined he didn’t need to Epi-Pen, gave him an oral steroid and sent him home.

I would absolutely get a Xolair injection before international travel where the risk of accidental ingestion is increased.

[Anonymous]

Xolair is a very doable option for food allergic kids and adults. An injection taken 1 to 2 times monthly. Full protection takes several months to reach. First three injections are typically done in office.

Approved in 2024. It is a biological injection that has been around for two decades with a great safety profile. It has been a game changer in food allergy.

See also the nasal version of epinephrine, Neffy.

If you haven’t checked in with your allergist lately, it’s a good time to do that.