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Kids Freed from Peanut Allergies in British Trial

Gradual introduction successfully desensitizes sufferers

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2010 9:15 AM CST
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(Newser) – A pilot trial in Britain has shown success in desensitizing peanut allergies, giving scientists hope that a cure is in sight. In the pilot, 20 of 23 sufferers became able to eat 30 peanuts safely, after ingesting increasing doses of peanut flour over a year, freeing them from having to pore over food labels looking for trace amounts of nuts, BBC reports.

The trial will now be expanded to104 kids with peanut allergies, which are increasingly rampant and can cause potentially fatal anaphylaxis. But despite the promising results, you absolutely shouldn’t try a do-it-yourself peanut allergy cure at home, doctors warn.

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Actor Alan Cumming dives into the pile of peanuts during the Performa 09 Opening Night Benefit Dinner at X Initiative on October 30, 2009 in New York City.
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Actor Alan Cumming dives into the pile of peanuts during the Performa 09 Opening Night Benefit Dinner at X Initiative on October 30, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
This Feb. 16, 2007 file photo shows jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter at a supermarket in Atlanta.
This Feb. 16, 2007 file photo shows jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter at a supermarket in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
bewilderbeast
Feb 25, 2010 1:39 PM CST
The gaol was called Peanut Allergies (not so weird when you realise Britain actually has a gaol called Wormwood Scrubs).
bewilderbeast
Feb 25, 2010 1:37 PM CST
That headline gave me a clear picture of kids in handcuffs being allowed to go home after being in gaol by a British judge with a white wig. The reality was also nice (but please listen to BleeBloo and don't try cheap desensitisation at home!).
armywife
Feb 22, 2010 11:24 PM CST
this must be similar to the approach i've read about how to wean your child off of an egg allergy by feeding them gradually increasing increments of egg over a long period of time. like a crumb of cake every day for a week, then a slightly larger crumb, etc....good news indeed and probably works for lots of food allergies, as long as you have doctor supervision and access to an epi pen.

 
peanut • peanut allergy • allergies

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