A new program in Sacramento is being rolled out to help children overcome their sensitivity to peanuts as well as other nuts. The program was created by allergists at the Mercy Medical Group, with participating children being exposed to nuts in a controlled way in order to help them build up their body's immunity to the allergen.
It works by first having the child consume the peanuts in very small doses, gradually increasing the amount as their immune system is better able to process the peanuts on a regular basis. The ultimate goal is to have the child's body not react at all to the peanuts, therefore getting rid of the possibly deadly allergy completely.
The researchers who run the program say that the philosophy behind the treatment is similar to that of mainstream inoculations and other medicines. In their research they cite flu vaccinations, which contain small amounts of the virus to strengthen the body's immune system. Ingesting the peanuts works in a way that is very much the same.
Mercy's allergists do warn those who want their children to participate to exercise caution, however, as exposure to the peanuts does carry with it significant risk of an allergic reaction and all of the symptoms that accompany an attack. Everything is closely monitored by those in charge, with all of the proper medical supplies on hand.
Food allergies, according to recent studies, are growing at a very rapid rate. From 1997 to 2011, the number of children who suffer from a food allergy – peanuts being the most common – grew from 3.4 percent to 5.1 percent, a 50 percent jump in such a short amount of time.
If you are concerned about your child being exposed to allergens, be sure to invest in a hypoallergenic comforter from Allergy Be Gone for their bedroom!
