Treating childhood peanut allergy by gradually increasing tolerance may make the condition worse instead of better, a new study suggests.
'Food challenge' studies have indicated that oral immunotherapy, which involves gradually raising doses of an allergen over time, can be effective. However, new research by McMaster University raises doubts about this approach. It shows that compared with avoiding peanuts, attempts to desensitize children in the 'real world' promote allergic reactions, including the serious and potentially fatal condition anaphylaxis. More than six million people are affected by food allergies in Europe and North America, including 8 percent of children and 2-3 percent of adults, said the scientists. While common allergies to milk and egg are often out-grown by the age of five to 10, peanut allergy can be a lifelong problem.
