Peanut allergies are on the rise in the United States, with one in 50 children and one in 200 adults affected. This increase has left researchers searching for answers as to why this is happening. However, there have been several breakthroughs in treatment options for those with peanut allergies, offering hope for a safer future where individuals can potentially eat without fear of an allergic reaction.
Five-year-old Kaleb Billeter has a dangerous peanut allergy, which his mother, Elizabeth Billeter, closely monitors. Kaleb was treated with a peanut patch that he wore daily for several months, with the hope that it would help him build up a tolerance to peanuts. Oral immunotherapy, where individuals consume small amounts of peanut flour to retrain the immune system, is another treatment option being explored by experts like Dr. Edwin Kim, a pediatric allergist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Researchers are also investigating the use of a toothpaste that contains peanut protein to trigger immune cells in the mouth. By absorbing the peanut protein while brushing their teeth, individuals may experience a less severe allergic reaction if exposed to peanuts. While this treatment won’t cure the allergy, it can help make the body’s response less life-threatening.
Dr. Kim’s research has also found that administering small amounts of liquid peanut extract under the tongue can desensitize young children to their peanut allergy. In one trial, 80 percent of toddlers were able to tolerate 15 peanuts without any symptoms by the end of the study. These advancements in treatment offer hope for individuals like Kaleb and others living with peanut allergies.