Peanut allergies in the United States have increased significantly over the past two decades, affecting one in 50 children and one in 200 adults. The exact reasons for this rise remain unclear, but researchers are making progress in developing new ways to help individuals with peanut allergies manage their condition.
Kaleb Billeter, a five-year-old Lego expert, is one of the many children affected by a peanut allergy. His mother, Elizabeth Billiter, recalls the first time he broke out in hives as a sign of his allergy. Kaleb underwent treatment with a peanut patch and oral immunotherapy, two common treatments used to desensitize individuals to peanuts.
Oral immunotherapy involves gradually increasing doses of peanut flour to retrain the immune system and reduce reactivity to peanuts. Another innovative approach being explored by researchers involves using a special toothpaste that triggers immune cells in the mouth. By coating the inside of the mouth with peanut protein through tooth brushing, this approach aims to make the body’s response to peanuts less life-threatening.
Dr. Edwin Kim, a pediatric allergist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, has also discovered that administering liquid peanut extract under the tongue can desensitize young children to their peanut allergy. In a trial, 80 percent of toddlers were able to tolerate 15 peanuts without experiencing any symptoms by the end of the study. These findings highlight the potential for breakthrough treatments that could improve the quality of life for individuals with peanut allergies.
Although these treatments do not provide a cure for peanut allergies, they offer promising ways to manage the condition more effectively. Researchers continue to explore new approaches and treatments that could help individuals with peanut allergies safely consume peanuts without risking an allergic reaction.
