Share

Skin patch may help kids with peanut allergy

accreditation
Peanut warning – iStock
Peanut warning – iStock

A wearable skin patch may help children who are allergic to peanuts by delivering small doses of peanut protein, according to a new study that calls for the therapy to be further explored.

Small amounts of peanuts

The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that nearly half of those treated with the Viaskin Peanut patch for one year were able to consume at least 10 times more peanut protein than they were able to prior to treatment.

Read: Safe peanuts for allergy sufferers

The biggest benefit came for those from four to 11 years old. Participants older than 12 didn't see as much of an effect, the study found.

The therapy works by training the immune system to tolerate small amounts of peanuts, said Dr Daniel Rotrosen, of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, which is funding the ongoing clinical trial.

"Other recent advances have relied on an oral route that appears difficult for approximately 10 to 15 percent of children and adults to tolerate," Rotrosen said.

Read: Exposure to peanuts ups tolerance

While the trial found the immunotherapy treatment to be "potentially effective", it cautioned that the study is limited. Further investigation is needed to find out if "the modest clinical changes noted will be enhanced after a longer duration of therapy", the study said.

Those long-term results should be available in the future because the trial is continuing.

The Viaskin Peanut patch hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Read more: 

Treating peanut allergy – with peanuts

Less accidental exposure to peanuts

10% of city kids allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE