Scientists from the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have shown that a skin patch containing a small amount of peanut protein can relieve peanut allergies in children under the age of four. Research published New England Journal of Medicine.
The scientists’ idea was that a patch containing a small amount of peanut protein could train children’s immune systems to better tolerate contact with nuts. This can help children avoid serious allergies, which in some cases can lead to death when accidentally exposed to peanuts.
The study included 362 children aged one to three years. Two-thirds of children who wore the peanut patch daily for a year showed a significant reduction in peanut protein sensitivity: they were able to eat the equivalent of one to four peanuts without suffering from allergies. The most common side effect of treatment was skin rash.
An estimated 2% of children in the United States are allergic to peanuts, and the majority remain allergic into adulthood. This makes it the most common food allergy among children and the third most common food allergy among adults, according to the nonprofit Food Allergy Research (FARE).