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Just as more evidence is emerging that supports exposure to peanuts for young children as a way to avoid future peanut allergies, a study presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that an epicutaneous patch continued to build peanut tolerance over 3 years, according to a press release. The immunotherapy patch delivers small amounts of peanut protein through the skin, slowly building tolerance and reducing the risk of severe allergic reactions from accidental ingestion. After 3 years of treatment with the patch, more than 70% of toddlers could tolerate the equivalent of at least 3-4 peanut kernels, a significant improvement from their first year of treatment. Nearly half could tolerate even higher amounts with no cases of related anaphylaxis reported in the third year.
Easy does it: Peanut allergy affects about 2% of children in the United States and is a leading cause of severe allergic reactions. What’s encouraging about the patch is that it’s a gradual approach that might be more comfortable for parents in lieu of potentially risky trial-and-error peanut desensitization at home.