Can Early Peanut Exposure Prevent Peanut Allergies from Developing?

Filed in archive Allergy: Research and Development , Food Allergies on December 18, 2006

A new trial has begun in the UK, testing whether early exposure to peanuts reduces the risk of developing peanut allergies later in life.

The study will test 480 children between the ages of four and 11 months who already have eczema or egg allergy and therefore are considered to be at a high risk of developing peanut allergy.

Half of the children will be given a peanut-based snack regularly [snip] while the control group will avoid the nut entirely. Both groups will be tested at the age of five.

As a mother of a child with multiple food allergies, I am glad that such a research trial is being conducted. Perhaps, conclusive data will finally settle the debate on whether early exposure to allergens increase or decrease one's predisposition to developing (food) allergies. However, I cannot imagine enrolling my son in such a trial. Knowingly and intentionally exposing him to a food item to which there is a high likelihood that he'll show allergic symptoms is just something I can't bring myself to do.

I salute the parents who feel otherwise. These kinds of studies will ahve to be done if we are to understand the mechanism of allergic response. Only in understanding do we have a chance of accurately addressing the problem and possibly make the lives of future generations of people with food allergies more manageable.