Our daughter is facing something no child should have to — a life-threatening nut allergy that affects not just what she eats, but how she lives.

Simple joys like birthday parties, school lunches, eating out are layered with fear, questions, and emergency plans. One wrong bite can change everything — and it has.

We’ve chosen to walk the path of oral immunotherapy (OIT) in the hope of giving her a safer, freer future. It’s a long process — slow, emotional, and medically intensive — but it offers something we never thought possible: peace of mind. Even a small amount of tolerance could be life-saving.

OIT comes with financial strain. It’s not covered by the NHS, and between specialist appointments, and the ongoing cost of treatment and travel, it adds up quickly.

If you feel moved to help, your support means more than we can express. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep going — and reminds us that we’re not alone.

You can support us here:

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Even if you’re not in a position to give, sharing our story helps too. And if you’re a fellow allergy family – you’re not alone.

Thank you for standing with us.

With love,
The Brave Little Bites Family

What Is OIT?

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a treatment that helps people with food allergies build up tolerance by introducing very small, controlled amounts of the allergen—in our case, nuts—over time. The idea is simple: by slowly “training” the immune system to recognise the allergen without overreacting, the risk of a severe reaction from accidental exposure is reduced. OIT is not a cure, but it does create a safety cushion.

Why We Chose It

Deciding to begin oral immunotherapy wasn’t something we rushed into—it was a deeply personal decision, shaped by years of living with the constant fear that one small mistake could lead to a medical emergency.

1. We Wanted to Reduce the Risk of a Severe Reaction
No treatment can erase her allergy completely, but OIT gives her body a better chance of handling accidental exposure. Knowing that even a small level of tolerance could mean the difference between a mild reaction and a life-threatening one gave us hope—and a sense of control we didn’t have before.

2. We’re Thinking Long-Term
Avoidance might work now while she’s young and closely supervised. But one day, she’ll be out with friends, in college, or traveling—and we won’t be there to triple-check every snack. OIT is a way to help her body and her confidence grow as she becomes more independent.

3. The Science Is Encouraging
We spent months researching, talking to allergists, and reading stories from other families. What we found was a growing body of evidence supporting OIT as a safe and effective option when done under medical supervision. That helped us feel reassured in taking this step.

4. We Wanted to Give Her More Than Fear
Living with a severe allergy can be emotionally exhausting—for the child and the whole family. We didn’t want her childhood to be defined by fear, restrictions, and what she can’t do.

Disclaimer: This blog reflects our personal experience with oral immunotherapy (OIT) and is not intended as medical advice. Every child and allergy case is different. Please consult with a medical professional to determine what’s best for your family.