The results of a year-long trial in Australia have been released, which show that eating boiled peanuts could help children with an allergy to them.

This news brings hope to many families whose children are affected — according to RACGP (The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners), nearly 3 in every 100 children in Australia have a peanut allergy.

In this article, we look at what this news means and discover more about peanut allergy, its treatment and how to support someone living with it.

What’s the news?

The trial recruited 70 children with peanut allergies. They were given increasing doses of boiled and then roasted peanuts every day for several months.

At the end of the trial period, 80% of the children could eat 12 roasted peanuts every day without experiencing an allergic reaction.

The results were recently published in the Clinical and Experimental Allergy (1) journal.

It’s important to note that the medical staff closely supervised the children during the trial, and its organisers have warned parents of children with peanut allergies not to feed them peanuts.

The researchers also stressed that the results represented a possible treatment but did not guarantee a cure and that further research needs to be done.

However, the results show that exposure to peanuts can achieve a decent level of protection against allergic reactions.

What causes peanut allergy?

Peanut allergy occurs when the body’s immune response becomes more sensitive to a protein in the nuts.

It’s more common in children, although it can sometimes develop for the first time in adults.

While some children grow out of their peanut allergy, others may have it into adulthood, and some are also allergic to other types of nuts.

Peanut allergy symptoms

Peanut allergy symptoms include:

  • Hives (a raised, itchy skin rash)
  • Swelling of the face, lips or eyes
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain

Some people may also experience peanut allergy anaphylaxis. This is a severe and possibly life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swollen tongue
  • Swollen, tight throat
  • Difficulty talking
  • Hoarse voice
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of consciousness
  • In young children, becoming floppy and pale

If you suspect anaphylaxis, call triple zero (000) for help immediately.

You may be given an adrenaline autoinjector (an EpiPen or Anapen) if you are at risk of experiencing anaphylaxis.

You should also have an anaphylaxis action plan that sets out what to do if you have a severe reaction to peanuts.

Peanut allergy treatment

If you suspect you or your child has a peanut allergy, go and see your doctor as the first step.

They can refer you to an allergy specialist who can perform tests to confirm your peanut allergy. These tests may reveal other types of allergies too.

While the results of the recent trial have been encouraging, there is currently no treatment for peanut allergy, although it is hoped that it will become available in the future.

People with peanut allergies are advised to avoid exposure to them. You can do this by:

  • Always reading food labels when shopping for food
  • Being extra careful with hygiene in the kitchen so that surfaces, cutlery and crockery don’t get contaminated
  • Being careful when in close contact with someone who has been eating peanuts
  • Taking care when eating at restaurants, and inform staff of your or your family member’s peanut allergy. Double-check before you order that your food won’t contain peanuts or traces of them
  • If you’re travelling or staying at someone else’s house, take some “safe” food with you just in case
  • Children with a peanut allergy should take their own food to parties or school. They should never swap or share food with others and may need to sit in a separate area from people eating nuts
  • Taking care when eating other nuts or nut products — if you are already allergic to peanuts, then you are at risk of developing an allergy to other types of nuts
  • If you have an adrenaline autoinjector, carry it with you at all times
  • Telling other people about your or your child’s nut allergy. Explain what they would need to do if you or your child have an allergic reaction
  • If you have any doubts about the food served to you, do not eat it

What else can I do to support someone with a peanut allergy?

Many people also find it reassuring to wear a medical alert. Med alerts can take the form of bracelets or necklaces with customised information about your condition, the medication you take, and emergency contact details.

You can also get a pre-printed medical ID specifically about peanut allergy.

Know that when you choose a Mediband medic alert, our IDs can be linked to web-based medical information that healthcare professionals can access in an emergency.

This gives the wearer further reassurance that they will receive the correct diagnosis and treatment in a medical emergency.

Live confidently with a peanut allergy

The research just published gives hope to many people living with peanut allergy.

While there’s no cure just yet, it’s good to know that an effective treatment may be developed in the future.

In the meantime, Mediband is right beside you to help you or your child live confidently with peanut allergy. Explore our range of medic alert bracelets, designed to help you live confidently with your condition.

References

1. Grzeskowiak L, Tao B, Aliakbari K, Chegeni N, Morris S, Chataway T. ‘Oral immunotherapy using boiled peanuts for treating peanut allergy: An open-label, single-arm trial,’ Clinical and Experimental Allergy, first published: 11 January 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.14254.