Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies people can have. Though it may seem like a simple allergy, this isn't always what it seems. Sometimes, allergy to peanuts can show signs and symptoms such as the runny nose, skin reactions like swelling and redness, diarrhea, tightening of the throat, and shortness of breathing. But there are times it could be very risky that it can even cost one their life.
With how risky this kind of allergy can be, experts prioritize researching more about this to help those people who are suffering and those who are prone to it. Almost a year ago, there are claims how peanut microdosing can help treat people with peanut allergy. But unfortunately, a recent study conducted by experts showed otherwise.
An online health platform named Health Line explained how this past claim still doesn't have any approval with the Food and Drugs Administration even until now. As a matter of fact, the claims are still under debates in the medical community with regards to its safety.
To learn more about the study, 1,000 people were asked to participate. Over the course of 12 studies, the researchers found how peanut microdosing can cause anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is the state where the body produces chemicals in response to an allergen, as explained by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Given this, the body experiences several symptoms, which can often lead to life-threatening conditions. Through the study, the experts found how peanut microdosing can put a person in anaphylaxis from 7.1 to 22.2 percent.
Furthermore, the experts also discovered that people who have been exposed to such treatment are more dependent on epinephrine use. Those with peanut allergies can also have reactions, which include non-anaphylactic reactions such as vomiting.
"In patients with peanut allergy, high-certainty evidence shows that available peanut oral immunotherapy regimens considerably increase allergic and anaphylactic reactions over avoidance or placebo, despite effectively inducing desensitization," the authors of the study explains. Given this, the goal of the group is to discover "safer peanut allergy treatment approaches and rigorous randomized controlled trials."
But despite the risk, experts say this treatment still pose good potential in the future. The experts are even looking forward to more clinical trials regarding this peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT).
Meanwhile, there is but one way these experts think that could improve their study, and that is by adding a biologic agent to their treatment plan. The lead expert also shared that as of now, there are already several clinical trials experts are conducting with regards to immunotherapy, which involves the use of biologics such as omalizumab and dupilumab.
