Study Finds Effective Treatment Strategy for Peanut Allergies in Children

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights a promising treatment for children with high-threshold peanut allergies. Over 18 months, participants aged 4 to 14 were given gradually increasing doses of store-bought peanut butter, ultimately enabling them to tolerate up to three tablespoons without allergic reactions. This approach, targeting about 800,000 U.S. children who cannot tolerate even half a peanut, presents a significant advancement over existing FDA-approved therapies, which are ineffective for this group. The study found that 68% of those receiving oral immunotherapy achieved sustained unresponsiveness, compared to only 8% in the avoidance group. Experts emphasize the importance of consulting an allergy specialist before attempting such treatments, as the findings could lead to personalized therapies for food allergies. The results could be transformative for affected families, providing a safe and feasible way to integrate peanuts into daily diets.