Zalia’s OIT Adventure

26/06/2025

Just in case anyone wasn’t already aware, this is an amazing OIT clinic in Victoria, Australia.
We’re glad we did OIT when we did, even though it had to be in USA, but how awesome that there’s another option here now 🎉💜

🎉 Huge shoutout to Ari, who has officially reached maintenance for peanut 🥜, cashew and egg 🥚 oral immunotherapy!

He’s now eating the equivalent of 13 peanuts, 16 cashews and one egg every single day. A massive achievement in reducing his risk of severe reactions and gaining food freedom.

But today’s celebration isn’t just about Ari, it’s also about his amazing mum, Marina, who’s pictured here. 💛 Because food allergies don’t just affect the individual, they impact the whole family.

The early mornings, the careful food prep, the stress of parties, playdates and holidays, the emotional load of living with uncertainty. Families like Ari’s go through it all to keep their loved ones safe, and to give them a shot at a more ‘normal’ life.

We’re so proud to support families through this journey, and even prouder when we get to celebrate milestones like this one. 💪

If you’d like to know more about our Oral Immunotherapy programs, give us a call on 📞 (03) 4344 4015 or email us at 📧 info@ruralallergygroup.com.au

22/09/2024

Talk about heartbreaking 💔 I found this list today. Zalia would have been about 5 or 6 when she wrote it, and there were only 24 foods (including water and salt!) that were safe for her (and that she liked/would eat). Thank goodness that life is behind us!!! 💕
When Zalia’s sick of having to dose, and complaining that it’s been 5 years, why does she have to keep doing it, it’s things like this that really hit home as to why we bother to go through the “hassle” of OIT. Because the actual hassle of avoiding almost everything, is way, waaaaaaayyy worse!!!!

12/08/2024

I’m sure by now you’ve all seen that neffy has been approved by the FDA as an alternative to the current options of adrenaline delivered by needle. To me, this is very exciting news! 🎉 So I was telling Zalia how good it would be if it became available in Australia. I explained to her that, as well as being far less heat sensitive, having a longer expiry date, and being smaller and easier to carry, it is just a spray that goes in your nose rather than injecting a needle. She looked horrified and said that’s disgusting, she’d hate the feeling of something going up her nose, she’d prefer a needle! Just when you think you know someone!! 🤣😂
I will still do everything I can to advocate for it to become available here, because I believe the more options the better. But it was definitely a reminder to me that everyone is different, and has different allergy goals and wishes, and that’s ok, even if it’s completely surprising! 💜

05/08/2024

I don’t have any affiliation with this clinic, but I’m loving that we are getting more and more OIT options here in Australia! 💕 I’ll definitely be joining the webinar to learn more about what they’re doing
Catherine Sly

Come along this week to find out more about our oral immunotherapy program.

Scan to QR code or click on the link in our bio to register

03/07/2024

For anyone wondering what the Anapen hard cases look like – here you go! They have little “legs” at one end, so they won’t roll away (I know Anapen’s round shape, compared to Epipen’s oval shape, worried some people). They also have a QR code to scan, which goes to video instructions of how to administer the Anapen (in 6 different languages). The case can also be used as a safe sharps container, after use. All 3 doses of Anapens (150mcg, 300mcg & 500mcg) are the same sized injector, so the cases will fit whichever dose size you have. The cases are free, but have to be ordered by your pharmacist.
Photography’s not my thing, but I’ve tried to show a size comparison, and show the features. Please feel free to share this to any pages/groups that might be interested 😊

22/04/2024

I am always thinking about OIT and how to best help Aussies access it, but I’m curious about *your* views on OIT. Assuming money & time & travel weren’t an issue, how many of you would have already undertaken OIT? And if not, what is the reason holding you back? What would you need to know/hear/do to make you want to start? Thanks for commenting 🙂

01/04/2024

For anyone worried about their Anapens or Epi-Pens getting too hot or too cold, this is a handy little device that monitors the temperature and alerts your phone if it gets close to a preset temp. Pretty cool 😊

Introducing dotcool mini: The Smart Temperature Sensor for Temperature Sensitive Medicines! 🌡️

No more fretting about whether your crucial meds like EpiPens, are at the right temperature. dotcool mini has got your back, ensuring they stay perfectly chilled and effective whenever you need them. ☀️

Key Features:

- Receive instant alerts on your phone if your meds are veering out of their ideal temperature range. 📲

- Covers a wide temperature measurement span from -25°C to +60°C (-13°F to +140°F). 🥵

Stay safe, stay informed with AllergyLifestyle.com.

Shop now: https://www.allergylifestyle.com/shop/allergy-shop/epipen-cases/dotcool-mini-smart-temperature-sensor-for-temperature-sensitive-medicines/

20/03/2024

Zalia has gone on her year 7 camp today, coming back Friday afternoon. I wasn’t even allowed to get out of the car to help with her bags, let alone take photos. The joys of being a high school mum 😂🤣
But - I’m also loving that I didn’t have to get out of the car - not having to speak to teachers about food, or safe activities, or anything, is great! They know she has an Anapen, and they also know it’s highly unlikely she’ll ever have to use it. No more hassle than that 🎉🙌
So here’s a random photo that I was allowed to take 💜

Catherine Sly

21/02/2024

This looks like some promising news about Neffy - epinephrine delivered via a nasal spray instead of a needle. Fingers crossed that if/when it’s approved in USA, that it won’t be too much longer until it’s also available in Australia 🤞

Coming to

ARS Pharmaceuticals to Present Positive Clinical Efficacy Data for neffy® ( nasal spray).

One late-breaking presentation reports efficacy outcomes for the first time with neffy in pediatric patients who developed anaphylaxis symptoms following oral food challenge. The efficacy data demonstrated that 100% of patients responded to a single dose of neffy with a 16-minute median time to complete resolution of anaphylaxis symptoms.

A second presentation details the statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in urticaria symptoms achieved by neffy across all endpoints in its randomized, controlled proof-of-concept study.

Read ARS Pharmaceuticals press release at:
https://buff.ly/3uOFLO9

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

18/02/2024

Since we have such a lovely, supportive little community here, I thought I would share this page with you. Hopefully soon, Hamish will be on his way to Atlanta for OIT with the amazing Dr Agrawal 🎉
Maybe you’re in a position to donate, maybe you just need to connect with other allergy parents who are fundraising, to share ideas about what works and what doesn’t. Or maybe you just want to follow along and watch his journey. Either way, I’m sure Hamish and his family would love it if you liked their page. 😊

I’ve always tried my best to answer everyone’s questions and help people as much as I can by sharing my story, and it’s so lovely to watch those people I’ve helped, now helping others 🥰💜 We are the best little community and it’s so great to see that knowledge about OIT is spreading 🌸💜
Catherine Sly

Making amazing progress towards our goal. Please share Hamish's page and go fund me to help us get him to the US for OIT. Keep checking this page for more fundraisers coming soon ###

07/02/2024

**eczema post**
Our lives have been made more “interesting”, not just with our OIT journey, but Zalia also had an absolutely horrible, devastating eczema journey as well. The only thing that ever worked (and believe me, we tried EVERYTHING!!!), was Dr Richard Aron’s treatment. He is a South African doctor (seriously, what is it with having to go overseas to find capable doctors?!?!) who has a method of treating eczema which isn’t widely accepted by other doctors (seeing a pattern here??). Anyway, I’m guessing some of you may also be struggling with eczema, or may have already been treated by Dr Aron. He is coming to Sydney to meet with patients, and because I think he’s in the same awesome category as Dr Agrawal and Dr Jones, I thought I’d share details of his visit here. If you want more info about his treatment, feel free to ask me, or check out Dr Aron Eczema Treatment Discussion Group