Treatment for Peanut allergies

A new treatment for those with peanut allergies has been tested on a group of children in Australia, and the results have been positive. About 80% of the children that were given the therapy over an 18-month period became tolerant to peanuts after the treatment stopped. It is still unclear how long these effects will last. In developed nations, food allergies have been rising and Scientists haven’t figured out why. Most reactions aren’t life threatening, but some can trigger a response which can lead to a dangerous reaction called anaphylaxis, which is when blood pressure drops and airways swells.

This causes breathing difficulties. Researchers from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute have already took a big step towards this goal. The therapy includes a form of a probiotic combined with a daily dose of peanut protein. Every two weeks, the peanut protein increased until it reached a dose of 2 grams. The concept is a form of immunotherapy and modifies the response to an allergy gradually. Twenty-eight children participated in the trial and were exposed to peanuts for 3 weeks. They discovered that 82% of the children could include peanuts into their diet after the trial. A further study is going to see whether if it’s for long term.