Atlanta Allergy & Asthma News

Exciting New Research on Peanut Allergy Reveals It May Be Prevented Early in Life

Updated on Thursday, February 26, 2015

Physicians/nurse practitioners mentioned in this post: Kathleen A. Sheerin, MD

The results of a groundbreaking clinical trial to prevent food allergy were presented on Monday, February 23, 2015 at the annual scientific meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that sustained consumption of a peanut-containing snack by babies at high risk for developing peanut allergy reduced the risk of their developing peanut allergy. The children in the study who were at risk for allergy (including those with eczema and/or egg allergy), had a 70-80% decreased chance for developing peanut allergy when there was an early introduction of peanut.

Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Dr. Kathleen Sheerin says, “The results of this study are so compelling; I expect that new guidelines will be forthcoming.” Preliminary recommendations include allergy evaluation for infants at risk between 4 - 8 months of age with recommendations to start regular consumption of peanuts depending on the result of an allergy skin test. These recommendations could extend to all infants at risk because of a family history of allergy.

It is important to note that this type of therapy should never be attempted on your own. Peanut allergy tests and treatment should be performed by an allergy expert, like the physicians at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma.

“Anyone who suspects a food allergy, especially families with a child who has a diagnosed food allergy, should consult an allergy specialist to properly evaluate the risk for anaphylaxis and discuss how best to manage each sibling” adds Dr. Stanley Fineman, one of the 18 board-certified allergists at AA & A.

Click here to request an appointment with one of our food allergy specialists. You may also call 770.953.3331 to schedule your appointment at one of our 18 Atlanta area locations.

For more information, visit Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).