If your child is allergic to peanuts, he or she is not alone as peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in America; according to a study published by Business Insider, an American financial and business news website, nearly 2 million American children are allergic to peanuts. As parents, we naturally want the very best for our children, which includes not having to deprive them of foods that they would otherwise enjoy. As it stands, there is currently no FDA-approved treatment for peanut allergies other than an emergency epinephrine injections, which are used to combat the severe reactions caused by accidental exposure.
Eliminating peanuts from one’s diet can be difficult and requires more than just avoiding jars of peanut butter. After all, many foods contain peanuts in one form or another. Some of the most common peanut-containing foods include cookies, cereals, granola bars, and certain grain bread. Fortunately, breakthrough treatments, which promises to enable those with peanut allergies to indulge in peanut-containing foods without the threat of a severe allergic reaction, is said to be on the horizon.
A NEW VACCINE TO TREAT PEANUT ALLERGIES
Although not officially approved by the FDA, there is currently a vaccine available that may help those struggling with peanut allergies. According to a study, which was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and conducted by scientists at the famed University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the vaccine designed to alter the immune response to peanuts was shown to be effective when tested on mice, and researchers believe that these positive benefits may be translatable to humans.
According to lead researcher Jessica O’Koneck, the vaccine is said to work by helping to combat the faulty immune reaction that causes the body to produce an excessive amount of immunoglobulin E, antibodies that are produced by the immune system, in response to being exposed to peanuts or peanut-containing foods. It should be noted that research is still ongoing; however, the promise of a vaccine capable of resolving peanut allergies may soon be a reality. These early findings are of great interest to allergy clinics across the nation, especially Premier Allergy, a well-regarded allergy clinic based in Columbus, OH that is routinely looking for new ways to help treat patients with severe allergies.
A NEW ORAL IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR PEANUT ALLERGIES
In addition to a promising new vaccine, oral immunotherapy for the treatment of peanut allergies is also said to be on the horizon as well. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which involved experts from numerous research institutions, an oral immunotherapy drug called AR101 is proving to be a viable treatment for those struggling with peanut allergies. The study, which included participants between the ages of 4 and 17, found that 80 percent of those who were exposed to peanuts and were given AR101 experienced a marked increase in their tolerance to peanuts.
Similar to the new vaccine intended for peanut allergies, more research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this new oral immunotherapy for peanut allergies. However, early results look quite promising. And as with any other breakthrough treatment, you can be assured that Premier Allergy is waiting to see what becomes of this potentially new way of treating peanut allergies as well.
If you or your child is struggling with peanut allergies or food allergies of any kind, you’re encouraged to schedule an appointment with Premier Allergy today.