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A New Era of Hope for Food Allergies

Living with food allergies can feel like walking a tightrope every single day. One wrong step—an unlabeled ingredient, a trace of peanut at a birthday party, or a miscommunication at a restaurant—can trigger a reaction that turns life upside down in an instant. Families learn to plan ahead, carry emergency medications, and stay alert in every setting, but the constant vigilance can be exhausting.

Food allergies can be especially challenging for allergic children, impacting their daily activities, social interactions, and overall well-being. New treatments like Omalizumab offer hope for allergic children and their families by helping to better manage these allergies and improve quality of life.

That’s why the FDA’s recent approval of Omalizumab (brand name Xolair®) for food allergies is such a game-changer. This new treatment offers patients an added layer of safety, reducing the risk of severe reactions and providing peace of mind. But how does it compare to traditional allergy shots? And more importantly—what does it mean for you or your child?

At Stone Oak Allergy, we’re committed to bringing our patients the very best in allergy care. Let’s explore how Omalizumab works, how it stacks up against allergy shots, and how it could transform daily life for people living with food allergies.

“Getting Xolair has been a real game changer in helping me reduce allergy attack frequency and severity.” – Jason W.

Understanding Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakes a harmless food protein for a dangerous invader. Instead of tolerating the food, the body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which release chemicals like histamine that cause reactions. This process is known as IgE mediated food allergies, which are responsible for many severe allergic responses. To diagnose food allergies and specifically identify IgE mediated food allergies, doctors may use a skin or blood test to determine the relevant allergens.

For some, a reaction may mean hives, stomach upset, or itching. For others, even a trace amount of peanut, milk, shellfish, or other allergens can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening reaction that requires immediate treatment with epinephrine.

According to the CDC, more than 6 million children and 26 million adults in the U.S. live with food allergies. These numbers include food allergic children, who are especially vulnerable to severe reactions. Avoidance has long been the primary approach, but for many families, this creates a lifestyle filled with fear and restriction. That’s why new treatment options matter so much.

Allergy Shots: The Traditional Path

Allergy shots, also called subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), have been used for over a century to treat environmental allergies like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Here’s how they work:

• Process: Patients receive injections of tiny amounts of allergens, gradually increasing over time.
• Goal: Train the immune system to become less sensitive, reducing allergy symptoms.
• Type of Allergies Treated: Allergy shots are often used for year round allergens such as pet dander, and may be prescribed alongside asthma medicines and steroid medicine for patients whose symptoms are not controlled by other treatments.
• Timeline: Requires frequent visits (often weekly at first, then monthly) over the course of 3–5 years.
• Results: Proven long-term relief from seasonal and environmental allergy symptoms.

Limitations for Food Allergies

The big catch? Allergy shots are not widely used for food allergies. This is because allergy shots can trigger food allergy reactions, which may range from mild symptoms to severe, potentially life-threatening events like anaphylaxis. In fact, giving patients increasing doses of food allergens by injection has been shown to carry high risks, including severe reactions.

So while allergy shots remain the gold standard for environmental allergies, they haven’t been a practical or safe solution for food allergies. Until now.

Omalizumab (Xolair®): A Breakthrough for Food Allergy Patients

Omalizumab isn’t new to medicine—it’s been used for years to treat asthma and chronic hives. Omalizumab is also used to treat allergic asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and nasal polyps. It is an injectable prescription medicine. In 2024, the FDA officially approved it for use in patients with food allergies. Omalizumab injections are administered by a healthcare provider according to a specific schedule.

“Xolair has helped me with reducing the number of rashes I get. It also helped reduce the number of times that I lose my breath.” – Sarah W.

How It Works

Unlike allergy shots, Omalizumab is not designed to “teach” the body to tolerate allergens. Instead, it blocks IgE antibodies, which are central to triggering allergic reactions. By neutralizing IgE, the treatment reduces the body’s overreaction when exposed to allergens.

The dosage of Omalizumab is determined by a patient’s body weight and the results of a blood test measuring IgE levels.

Benefits for Patients: Reducing Allergic Reactions

• Increased safety: Lowers the risk of severe reactions to accidental exposures.
• Reduces allergic reactions including anaphylaxis: Omalizumab can reduce allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, after accidentally eating one or more foods.
• Effective for multiple foods: Omalizumab is effective for patients allergic to multiple foods.
• Ongoing protection with many doses: Many doses of Omalizumab may be needed to maintain protection.
• Peace of mind: Provides a safety net for patients and parents, reducing daily anxiety.
• Flexibility: May allow more freedom in social, travel, and dining situations.
• Faster impact: Patients can see benefits within weeks or months, rather than years.

“Xolair has been life changing – it has gotten rid of my hives and improved my asthma. I was always covered in hives and I’ve been hive-free for over a year.” – Suzanne L.

What the FDA Approval Means

The approval was based on clinical trials showing that patients treated with Omalizumab could tolerate higher amounts of allergens without severe reactions. In these studies, the treatment group was able to tolerate a single dose of peanut protein during food challenges after the first dose of Omalizumab, demonstrating increased safety and initial desensitization. That means less fear of cross-contact, mislabeled foods, or accidental bites at school or restaurants.

Comparing Omalizumab and Allergy Shots

Factor	Allergy Shots	Omalizumab
Type of Allergies Treated	Environmental (pollen, dust, pets, mold)	Food allergies (peanut, milk, egg, shellfish, etc.)
Treatment Method	Regular injections of allergens	Injectable biologic that blocks IgE
Timeline	3–5 years for full benefit	Weeks to months for protective effects
Goal	Build long-term tolerance	Reduce severity of reactions
Who It’s For	Seasonal and environmental allergy sufferers	Children and adults with food allergies
Risks	Mild injection reactions, rare systemic reactions	Injection site reactions, possible allergic response but generally safe
Dosing Frequency	Every 1–4 weeks	Every 2 to 4 weeks
Administration	Doctor’s office	Administered in a healthcare setting, especially for initial doses

Bottom line:

• Allergy shots remain essential for environmental allergies.
• Omalizumab fills the gap for food allergy patients who previously had no safe immunotherapy option.
• Omalizumab can be used as an adjunct therapy alongside oral immunotherapy, but patients must still avoid foods that trigger their allergies.

Patient Impact: Real-Life Benefits of Omalizumab

For families managing food allergies, Omalizumab is more than just a new medicine—it’s a shift in lifestyle.

Imagine sending your child to a birthday party without worrying if a stray crumb could cause a hospital visit. Picture enjoying a dinner out with friends without the constant background stress of asking about every ingredient.

Patients in clinical trials and early adopters of Omalizumab report:

• Less fear around accidental exposure.
• Added protection against accidental ingestion of allergens, including peanut allergy, which is a common and significant concern.
• Fewer restrictions in everyday life.
• Greater confidence for kids in school, sports, and social events.
• A profound sense of freedom and normalcy for parents and caregivers.

This doesn’t mean patients can throw away their EpiPens or ignore labels—avoidance is still important—but Omalizumab adds a layer of safety that can transform quality of life.

Ongoing food allergy research, including studies sponsored by organizations like NIAID and NIH, continues to support the use of Omalizumab as an evidence-based advancement in managing food allergies.

“Xolair has allowed me to enjoy my life again. I have food sensitivities and had to take Cromolyn 30 minutes before I ate anything. Xolair has allowed me to stop Cromolyn and I can eat a lot more without waiting. I also have reactions to things we enjoy every day: water, the sun, and heat. Before Xolair, if I was touched by water (any kind) on my skin, I could have dried off and I would still be itching 40 minutes later. I couldn’t be outside or in the sun for more than 30 seconds before I started itching. Xolair has allowed me to experience and live my life without the constant itching or waiting.” – Sam G.

Is Omalizumab Right for You?

Not every patient with food allergies will automatically be a candidate for Omalizumab. Key considerations include:

• Age: Approved for both children and adults.
• Type of food allergy: Works across multiple allergens, including peanut, milk, egg, and shellfish.
• Severity of reactions: Especially valuable for patients with a history of anaphylaxis or highly sensitive reactions.
• Lifestyle factors: Families seeking more freedom and less constant vigilance may benefit most.

Omalizumab should be administered by a healthcare provider in a clinical setting. Healthcare providers will monitor for side effects during and after administration, and patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swelling. Before starting Omalizumab, inform your healthcare provider if you have a latex allergy, as some prefilled syringes may contain latex.

At Stone Oak Allergy, we assess each patient individually. Our allergists will evaluate your allergy history, current treatments, and medical background to determine whether Omalizumab could be part of your care plan.

“Before Xolair, I dealt with unexpected hives that disrupted my life. Since starting, it’s truly been a game changer – my hives are under control, and I finally have my life back. I’m so grateful!!!” – Michelle B.

The Future of Food Allergy Treatment

Omalizumab marks an exciting milestone, but it’s only the beginning. Researchers, with support from national institutes such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are studying other biologics and therapies to create even safer, more effective treatments for food allergies. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a key developer of Omalizumab, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing allergy and immunology therapeutics.

Omalizumab is also approved to treat other conditions, including chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic idiopathic urticaria, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and nasal polyps in patients who have not responded to other treatments.

Some areas of promise include:

• Combination therapies: Using Omalizumab alongside oral immunotherapy (OIT) for stronger results.
• New biologics: Additional antibodies being tested to target different parts of the allergic pathway.
• Expanded approvals: Ongoing studies may broaden Omalizumab use to more allergens and age groups.

At Stone Oak Allergy, we believe in pairing cutting-edge science with personalized care. That means keeping our patients informed about the latest options while ensuring every treatment plan fits your unique needs.

From Fear to Freedom: How Omalizumab is Transforming Life with Food Allergies

For decades, food allergy patients had one main tool—strict avoidance. Now, with the approval of Omalizumab, there’s a new way forward. While allergy shots remain a trusted option for environmental allergies, Omalizumab represents a true breakthrough for food allergy sufferers.

Omalizumab is also approved for the treatment of severe persistent allergic asthma and allergic asthma. Patients should be aware of possible side effects, including respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, chest pain, chest tightness, throat tightness, trouble swallowing, weak heartbeat, joint pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common side effects include injection site reactions and joint pain. Omalizumab is not intended for emergency treatment of allergic reactions. The FDA, as part of the Department of Health and Human Services, oversees the approval and safety of Omalizumab and other allergy treatments.

It’s not a cure, but it is a life-changing step toward freedom, safety, and peace of mind. Families who once lived with constant worry can now imagine a world where birthday parties, vacations, and dinners out are filled with more joy and less fear.

At Stone Oak Allergy, we’re proud to offer both traditional and innovative treatments. If you or your child lives with food allergies, let’s explore whether Omalizumab—or another therapy—can help transform your daily life.