Children who suffer from life-threatening nut allergies have a ray of hope to lead a better life now, researchers say, as the experimental treatment for the nut allergies have shown positive results on the study participants.
In the study, doctors experimented with a new therapy in which the immune systems of patients, who suffered from food allergies, were "retrained".
Retraining the immune system made the patients desensitized to the products they were allergic to.
The experimental trail enabled at least 20 children to overcome severe peanut allergies.
Developer of the new therapy Pamela Ewan, at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, said, “So far we have treated 20 patients who can now safely eat up to 12 peanuts a day.”
Most patients suffered from fatal nut allergy and could not consume even minute amounts of peanuts.
The Addenbrooke’s team of doctors said after the treatment, the children could consume about 12 peanuts daily without suffering from any lethal after effects.
“The patients have told us it has been a life-changing experience. It has taken away a huge fear that had been looming over them,” said Ewan.
Case study
A case of severe peanut allergy was found in nine years old Nathan Brown of Massey in West Auckland.
When Brown was a baby he had a peanut-butter toast after which he suffered from allergic reactions. His eyes swelled up and he began gagging. After analyzing his condition, doctors diagnosed him with nut allergy.
After the incident, Brown has suffered from anaphylaxis at least five times.
What is anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is an acute and dangerous allergic reaction wherein the patient experiences blockage of the air pipes and trouble in breathing.
Brown is now advised to stay away from peanuts and peanut products and is given regular doses of adrenaline "EpiPen," which is like a life jacket for him. He has to carry EpiPen everywhere he goes.
Elizabeth Brown, Nathan's mother, said, "Over the last year, he's had a few anaphylactic reactions. One was from someone who had touched peanuts and then touched him."
Study implications
Inga Stunzner, spokeswoman of Allergy New Zealand, said, "We are still at the stage of trying to get allergic disease on the radar."
A similar trial was conducted in the United States as well. However, much more in depth investigation is needed before reaching any conclusion, she added.
She suggested that desensitization technique should not be tried at home as it could be dangerous for the peanut allergy sufferers.
During the study, desensitization technique was carried out under the supervision of experts, she mentioned.
The British researchers who were a part of the Addenbrooke’s team now intend to carry out experimental trails on a larger scale so that the effectiveness of the therapy can be tested and utilize it to cure other lethal allergies that result from foods like milk, egg and gluten.
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