EPICUTANEOUS IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR ALLERGIES

Epicutaneous means “on the skin.” Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) uses immune cells in the skin to build tolerance to an allergen using a dermal patch with a microdose of that allergen. This is a newer food allergy treatment still in clinical trials, and patches are being developed to treat peanut, milk, and egg allergies. EPIT works by exposing the patient to increasing doses of the allergen over time so that they form a tolerance. The patch is worn for longer periods each day until it is worn full time and replaced daily. The dosage also increases over time. Allergy shots are a similar type of immunotherapy that slowly builds an immune system tolerance to an allergen.

P.S. When EPIT becomes fully available, it will offer an alternative form of immunotherapy in addition to allergy shots.

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