The Best Time to Start Food Allergy Treatment: A Parent’s Guide

Food allergies affect millions worldwide, with reactions ranging from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis. As a parent, deciding if and when to start treatment for your child can feel overwhelming. 

The Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP) at Food Allergy Institute offers a structured, science-backed approach to achieving lasting remission from food allergies. Early intervention can change the trajectory of your child's future and prevent them from experiencing the mental and physiological toll of food allergies. Read this article to learn important considerations for starting treatment for your child or teenager. 

Understanding Food Allergies and Their Impact

A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein as a threat, leading to symptoms such as hives, swelling, gastrointestinal distress, and respiratory issues. In severe cases, exposure can trigger anaphylaxis, a rapid-onset reaction that can be fatal if not promptly treated. The unpredictability of reactions often leads to significant anxiety and lifestyle limitations for individuals and families.

Reaction Cofactors

Several factors can influence the severity of an allergic reaction beyond the amount of allergen exposure. Intense physical activity—whether from sports or play—and a weakened immune system, such as from a common cold, can lower the threshold for reactions.¹

The Importance of Timely Treatment

Initiating food allergy treatment promptly is essential to improving overall family quality of life and can even make treatment a more seamless experience.

Prevent Severe Reactions

For many food allergy families practicing allergen avoidance, especially those with multiple severe allergies, it's not a matter of if they will experience a reaction, it's a matter of when. Although family and loved ones do everything they can to protect their child, the unfortunate reality is that the world is not a food allergy-friendly place. As children grow, it becomes more challenging to control what they eat. 

Beginning treatment as soon as possible can help protect your child against life-threatening reactions.

Avoid Emotional Trauma

Food allergies are a major risk factor for developing depression and other mental health issues.²  The trauma of experiencing even one life-threatening reaction can cause lasting psychological impacts such as PTSD, panic attacks, and long-term anxiety for the whole family.³ According to a 2019 survey of food allergy parents from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, 82% of parents reported that they are always thinking about their child’s food allergies.⁴

Early food allergy intervention can help unburden food allergy families from the constant anxiety of avoiding a reaction. 

Facilitate Smoother Treatment

Opting to start food allergy treatment as soon as possible can also facilitate a smoother and more seamless path toward achieving tolerance. Past reactions impact more than just mental health, they can also have significant physiological impacts. The immune system remembers severe reactions, including those from failed food challenges and Oral Immunotherapy (OIT),  making future treatment more difficult. 

Moreover, children typically have more malleable immune systems, making them ideal candidates for food allergy treatment.

Avoid Additional Conditions and Health Complications

Research has shown that children with food allergies are at higher risk of developing other allergic diseases, such as asthma.⁵ Food allergies can also exacerbate other underlying conditions, including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eczema. Addressing food allergies early may help prevent or alleviate related allergic conditions. 

Age-Specific Considerations

Growing up is difficult, especially with multiple or severe food allergies. Food allergies impact different age groups in unique ways. Addressing them early provides the best chance for long-term success.

Age 3-7: Laying the Foundation for a Fear-Free Childhood

Lack of food allergy awareness and education in schools and other care facilities can pose a serious risk for food-allergic children. Sadly, children in daycare have a 1 in 5 chance of having a severe allergic reaction.⁵

Starting treatment during these formative years empowers children to enjoy their childhood without constant fear, while giving parents confidence that their child is protected. Young children also adapt more easily to new routines, and parents can closely monitor their child’s compliance with treatment. 

Age 8-14: Gaining Independence and Confidence

As children grow, they begin navigating social situations, including school environments, birthday parties, and extracurricular activities. These new experiences come with increased risks of accidental exposure, leading to heightened stress for both children and parents. 

Social peer pressure also increases with age, with one-third of elementary and middle school students reporting bullying due to food allergies.⁶ While policies like nut-free lunch tables can help keep children safe in school, they can also contribute to feelings of isolation.

TIP provides a structured, data-driven approach to treatment, offering peace of mind for parents and a childhood without food limitations for kids.

Age 14-18: Dating, Prom, and Class Trips without Fear

Important milestones like prom, dating, and college are all complicated by food allergies. Qualitative studies have demonstrated that food-allergic teenagers tended to report a lower quality of life than young children.^7,8 This is likely due to the increasing peer pressure to “fit in” as children reach adolescence and young adulthood.

Teenagers also take on more responsibility for their meals, making accidental exposures more likely. In fact, life-threatening and fatal food allergy reactions are most common among adolescents and young adults.⁹ Research has found that teens are less likely to advocate for themselves and follow essential safety protocols, such as carrying epinephrine autoinjectors.¹⁰

TIP ensures that teens can participate fully in high school and college life without food allergies holding them back, allowing them to focus on their futures rather than living in fear of food.

Introducing the Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP)

The Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP) is an innovative food allergy treatment that allows food allergy patients aged 18 months to 25 years old to eat as freely as a non-allergic person— without restrictions or fear of reaction.

How It Works 

Instead of a one-size-fits-all pill or allergy shot, TIP escalates “similar” food proteins in highly personalized and calculated amounts to reduce a patient’s allergic response before introducing an allergen. Similar food proteins are safe, non-allergenic proteins that mimic the allergen protein but do not elicit a reaction, retraining the immune system while reducing the risk of direct exposure.

TIP Patient With Provider At Long Beach Treatment Center

Key Components of TIP 

TIP is driven by a complex infrastructure of researchers, data analysts, food laboratory technicians, diagnostic specialists, and clinical providers all specially trained to ensure patient safety and success. See some of the key components of TIP below.

Immune System Mapping 

• Comprehensive diagnostic testing identifies specific allergens and their severity, allowing for a tailored treatment plan.

A Roadmap to Food Freedom

• Leveraging insights from patient diagnostic data, TIP’s individualized treatment plans detail the number of visits and quantity of food doses required for your child to safely achieve remission. 

Precision Gummy Dosing

• Specialized allergen-specific gummies help introduce similar proteins and, over time, the actual allergen in a safe, precise, and controlled manner.

Safety & Reaction Support

• Although reactions in TIP occur in less than 1% of patients, each TIP patient is equipped with a personalized scenario plan that walks them through multiple allergic scenarios, providing specific medications and dosages.
• All patient families also have access to a 24/7 provider on-call command center that provides reaction support and guidance.

The Time to Act is Now

There are several factors to consider when starting food allergy treatment, including age, lifestyle, appetite, and compliance level. However, starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial for achieving the best outcomes and ensuring a happier, healthier future for you or your loved one.

TIP Patient Stories

Jake's Story

“Jake often sat at the peanut-free table at school alone, because his friends commonly had PB&J in their lunchboxes.  Because of this incredible program, he will never have to eat alone again!”  - Mother of TIP Graduate

Devan's Story

“He can freely eat eggs and now all nuts. He has new found freedom that allows him to attend birthday parties, sleepovers, and school events without worry. He can graduate from elementary school and enter middle school with a real sense of safety and security.” - Mother of TIP Graduate, Ritu

Isaiah's Story:

“One of my favorite memories that I will forever remember was clearing crab just in time for me to participate in our school’s senior crab feast which is a Maryland tradition to kick off our senior year. Not only was the food delicious, but more importantly, I got to make this special memory with my friends” - TIP Patient, Isaiah

Caden's Story

“The process can be hard at times but the firsts along the way are worth it every time and getting to the end knowing my son can go to college and travel without fear is worth every bit of effort!” - Mother of TIP Graduate, Angie

Salem's Story

“Salem just graduated high school and has been able to spend her senior year going out with friends without fear of a contact or cross contact reaction and can even order food containing any tree nuts! Proms, senior cruise, celebrations, college tours and vacations have been enjoyed without fear. It is amazing! She still carries her Auvi-q and scenario kit and is careful to not order anything containing peanut until we get to food freedom, but she is otherwise free to eat freely! College will be a blast!” - Mother of TIP Patient, Jeni

Noland's Story

“Noland challenged 26 foods over the 5 years, dosing and eating maintenance food daily to achieve food freedom. 
It has been a huge undertaking but Noland never gave up on the process.
I am so emotional that this day finally came, his life in college will be forever changed.” -Mother of TIP Graduate, Debra

Finnlee's Story 

“One day your kid will be an adult. And you won’t be able to control that environment. An environment of parties and college and girlfriends/boyfriends so control it now. All of these examples seem foolish and small now. But it’s a real thing. And as a parent you should be thinking about these things. Do what you can NOW to lessen their chance of reactions” - Mother of TIP patient, Maci

Callie's Story

“I don't live with food allergy anxiety anymore and can eat whatever I want whenever I want. I will always remember my first PB&J and going to a baseball game and shelling and eating peanuts. I always dreamed of going to college without an allergy, and this fall, I will be attending college with the miracle of not having to worry about my allergy. I am grateful every day for FAI and always appreciate the small things I can do now as I live my new life with food freedom.” - TIP Patient, Callie

A Life Without Food Limitations Starts Today

Food allergies don’t have to define your child’s life. Whether your child is just starting preschool, entering junior high, or preparing for college, TIP provides a proven path toward food freedom. 

Enroll in TIP today and take the first step toward a future of endless possibilities.

Sources

1. Skypala, I. J. (2019). Food-induced anaphylaxis: Role of hidden allergens and cofactors. Frontiers in Immunology, 10, Article 673. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2019.00673​
2. Hidese, S., Nogawa, S., Saito, K., & Kunugi, H. (2019). Food allergy is associated with depression and psychological distress: A web-based study in 11,876 Japanese. Journal of Affective Disorders, 245, 213–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.119​
3. Lee, Y., Chang, H. Y., Kim, S. H., Yang, M. S., Koh, Y. I., Kang, H. R., Choi, J. H., Kim, C. W., Park, H. K., Kim, J. H., Nam, Y. H., Kim, T. B., Hur, G. Y., Jung, J. W., Park, K. H., Kim, M. A., Kim, J., Yoon, J., & Ye, Y. M. (2020). A prospective observation of psychological distress in patients with anaphylaxis. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, 12(3), 496–506. https://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2020.12.3.496
4. Foong, R.-X., du Toit, G., & Fox, A. T. (2017). Asthma, food allergy, and how they relate to each other. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 5, Article 89. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2017.00089
5. Sicherer, S. H., Furlong, T. J., DeSimone, J., & Sampson, H. A. (2001). The US Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Registry: Characteristics of reactions in schools and day care. The Journal of Pediatrics, 138(4), 560–565. https://doi.org/10.1067/mpd.2001.111821​
6. Cooke, F., Ramos, A., & Herbert, L. (2022). Food allergy-related bullying among children and adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 47(3), 318–326. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab099
7. Gallagher, M., Worth, A., Cunningham-Burley, S., & Sheikh, A. (2011). Epinephrine auto-injector use in adolescents at risk of anaphylaxis: A qualitative study in Scotland, UK. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 41(6), 869–877. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03743.x
8. Protudjer, J. L. P., Jansson, S.-A., Middelveld, R., Östblom, E., Dahlén, S.-E., Heibert Arnlind, M., Bengtsson, U., Kallström-Bengtsson, I., Marklund, B., Rentzos, G., Sundqvist, A.-C., Åkerström, J., & Ahlstedt, S. (2016). Impaired health-related quality of life in adolescents with allergy to staple foods. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 6(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-016-0128-5​
9. Food Allergy Research & Education. (n.d.). Facts and statistics. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics
10. Warren, C. M., Dyer, A. A., Otto, A. K., Smith, B. M., Kauke, K., Dinakar, C., & Gupta, R. S. (2017). Food allergy-related risk-taking and management behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 5(2), 381–390.e13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2016.12.012​