An allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a certain food component as harmful and produces antibodies in response. Allergies can start in early childhood but can also develop at any age. While some allergies may resolve as children grow older, others, such as fish, nuts, and peanut allergies, often persist. The first exposure to an allergen may cause a mild reaction, but subsequent exposures can lead to more severe reactions, including anaphylactic shock.
The prevalence of food allergies is on the rise worldwide, leading to a greater need for solutions. Awareness of allergies has also been on the rise in recent years, with efforts being made to protect allergic individuals in various environments, such as schools and restaurants. Peanut allergy poses a high risk due to its prevalence and the presence of peanuts in many foods.
Some approaches to managing allergies involve complete avoidance of allergens or the development of tolerance through gradual exposure to the allergen. A study conducted by Dr. Hovav and Dr. Kidon focused on developing tolerance to peanut allergies using young peanuts, which were found to be less allergenic than regular peanuts. The study involved exposing children to increasing doses of peanut powder in various foods, ultimately leading to positive results and improved tolerance.
While the study was limited in scope and lacked a control group, its potential for treating allergies to other foods is promising. Further research and development in this area could lead to more effective treatments for individuals with food allergies, offering them a better quality of life.