Cambridge, UK – Parents of kids with severe peanut allergies - take heart! New research published in the journal Allergy shows that it is possible to “cure” children with severe peanut allergies.

The study involved 4 participants gradually getting slightly higher doses of peanut flour, on a daily basis, over a course of six months. Each child began the protocol with a 5 milligram serving of peanut flour. Each treatment increased the serving until it was as high at 800 milligrams at the end - which is the equivalent of 5 peanuts.

Desensitization programs have been tried in the past with peanut allergy. However, those programs made use of immunotherapy injections. Allergy shots were considered the gold standard of treatment for seasonal and inhalant allergies. However, allergy shots for food allergies were unsuccessful.

Researchers are guessing that this trial worked because of the gentle oral doses and a very gradual increase of the dose.

Dr Andy Clark was the leader of the research team. Clark talked about the high degree of fear that is involved with severe peanut allergy. Clark said, “Our motivation was to find a treatment that would change that [fear] and give [allergic individuals] the confidence to eat what they like.”

Peanut allergy is on the rise in western countries. Statistics indicate that it affects as many as 1 in 50 in the UK. Unlike other childhood food allergies, kids don’t usually grow out of it. As a result, many schools and public institutions are imposing peanut and nut free policies - but these are still not insurance that a peanut exposure will not take place.

Clark indicated that the treatment is not a true “cure” per se, but that children should maintain their tolerance levels as long as they continue with a daily dosage of peanut flour.

Another 18 children and teens are now following the same program, to see if it works across childhood age groups. Researchers believe that this approach could be extended to adults.

Source: Nursery World