Food Allergy Specialist & Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) in Carmel, Indiana
At Inspire Allergy and Asthma, Dr. Anita Sivam provides comprehensive food allergy evaluation and advanced treatment for children and adults with suspected or confirmed food allergies. As one of the few allergists in the Carmel and Indianapolis area offering oral immunotherapy (OIT), she helps families move beyond avoidance alone with evidence-based treatment options tailored to each patient.
Why Families Seek OIT at Inspire Allergy and Asthma
Living with food allergies can feel overwhelming, with constant label reading, fear of accidental exposures, and anxiety around everyday experiences like school, restaurants, and travel. Many families seek oral immunotherapy (OIT) not because they expect a cure, but because they want greater peace of mind and added protection. At Inspire Allergy and Asthma, Dr. Anita Sivam is one of the few allergists in the Carmel and greater Indianapolis area offering OIT, providing families with personalized guidance and advanced food allergy treatment close to home.
Why choose Inspire for OIT?
-One of few local practices offering OIT
-Direct physician oversight by board-certified allergist
-Personalized protocols tailored to patient age, allergen, and goals
-Access to your allergist between visits for questions/reactions
-Comprehensive counseling on risks, benefits, and expectations
-Experience managing complex food allergy cases
What food allergies do you treat?
At Inspire Allergy & Asthma, Dr. Anita Sivam evaluates children and adults with suspected or confirmed food allergies, including peanut, tree nut, egg, milk, wheat, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish allergy. For appropriate patients, treatment options may include avoidance counseling, epinephrine education, oral food challenges, Xolair®, and oral immunotherapy for peanut, tree nut, and select other food allergies.
Food Allergy Treatment Options in
Carmel, Indiana
Every child and family is different. During your visit, Dr. Anita Sivam reviews your history, prior reactions, allergy testing, and goals to help you choose the right food allergy treatment plan in Carmel, Indiana. Options may include strict avoidance, Xolair, oral food challenges, and oral immunotherapy (OIT).
Xolair® (omalizumab)
Xolair is an FDA-approved injection that helps calm the body’s allergic response for some patients with food allergies and may be used alone or together with oral immunotherapy (OIT) to support treatment. During your food allergy consultation in Carmel, Dr. Sivam can help determine whether Xolair may be appropriate for your child.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) in Carmel, Indiana
Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a proactive food allergy treatment that helps patients build tolerance over time by introducing tiny, carefully measured amounts of an allergen under medical supervision. At Inspire Allergy and Asthma, we offer OIT in Carmel, Indiana for select patients with food allergies, with close monitoring, detailed guidance, and direct access to a board-certified allergist throughout the process. For many families, OIT offers more than treatment. It offers freedom, confidence, and protection against accidental exposures.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) FAQ
OIT is not a cure, but it can significantly reduce the risk of severe reactions due to accidental exposure and is an important treatment option for many families seeking food allergy care in Carmel, Indiana. Some patients may achieve a level of tolerance that allows them to freely consume the food (remission), but continued regular ingestion is often required to maintain protection.
The timeline for oral immunotherapy varies based on the patient, the food allergen, and how the patient responds during the buildup and maintenance phases.
For many families, oral immunotherapy is worth it because it offers a proactive approach to food allergy treatment instead of strict avoidance alone. OIT requires commitment, regular visits, and close follow-up with a food allergy specialist, but many families feel the increased safety and peace of mind are life-changing.
Patients undergoing oral immunotherapy (OIT) may experience allergic reactions, either from the treatment itself or accidental exposure to the allergen. For this reason, close monitoring by our medical team is essential. Potential side effects include:
Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction requiring immediate treatment with epinephrine and urgent medical care
Eosinophilic esophagitis, which can cause difficulty swallowing, a sensation of food sticking in the chest, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, or vomiting
Skin reactions like rashes, hives, or throat itchiness
Yes. Even while undergoing OIT, carrying epinephrine at all times is essential in case of a serious allergic reaction.
This means you’ve successfully reached the maintenance phase of your treatment. After reaching maintenance, patients continue eating their allergen daily to maintain their tolerance. Regular follow-ups with your allergist help track progress and fine-tune your plan to ensure long-term success.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) Pricing in Carmel, Indiana
We believe families should understand the cost of food allergy treatment and OIT before they begin.
$375/month
(6-month commitment)
($2100 if paid upfront for 6 months - discount of $150)
What is Included?
Dedicated OIT treatment preparation visit after a patient has completed a food allergy evaluation and committed to starting oral immunotherapy. This visit reviews the treatment process, dosing expectations, safety precautions, home dosing instructions, and next steps before therapy begins. (This visit does not include initial food allergy evaluation, allergy testing, or a general discussion of treatment options.)
Customized OIT treatment planning
All in-office up-dosing visits (typically every 1–2 weeks during the buildup phase)
Daily home dosing guidance and support
Ongoing direct communication with Dr. Sivam
Emergency action planning and safety education
OIT food preparation assistance
Prefer to save with one easy payment?
$4000 per year
(save $500 when paid in full)
Are there additional costs?
The monthly fee covers almost everything involved in your OIT care. However:
Food products used for oral immunotherapy are not included.
If you require additional services such as lab testing, prescriptions, or treatment for unrelated conditions, those may be billed separately.
Other non-OIT related appointments for asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, etc. Some patients with more complex needs may also benefit from a broader allergy membership plan.
Each additional food allergen will incur a separate OIT fee.
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Oral immunotherapy in Carmel, Indiana is an investment in safer daily life, greater confidence, and long-term food allergy support for your family.
If you are looking for a board-certified allergist offering OIT in Carmel, we are here to answer your questions and help you decide whether this treatment is the right fit.