A food allergy is a condition where the body’s immune system reacts to certain proteins found in food. This reaction can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, such as itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and even death. Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, wheat, and soy.
A food intolerance is different from a food allergy in that it does not involve the immune system. Food intolerance symptoms are usually less severe than those of a food allergy, and may include gas, bloating, and stomach upset.
Diagnosis of food allergies is typically made through a combination of a physical exam, a patient’s medical history, and various tests such as skin prick tests, blood tests and food challenges. Management of food allergies involve avoiding the allergen, carrying an epinephrine autoinjector and reading food labels carefully.
Studies 1: Title:”Effect of early peanut consumption on the development of peanut allergy in high-risk infants”
This study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2020, aimed to determine whether early introduction of peanuts in high-risk infants can reduce the incidence of peanut allergy.
The study was a randomized, controlled trial that included 640 infants aged 4-11 months with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both, which put them at high risk of developing peanut allergy. The infants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group was given peanut-containing foods starting at 4-11 months of age, and the other group was advised to avoid peanuts until age 5 years.
The results showed that the incidence of peanut allergy was significantly lower in the group that consumed peanuts early (1.9%) compared to the group that avoided peanuts (13.7%). This suggests that early introduction of peanuts can prevent the development of peanut allergy in high-risk infants.
It is important to note that this study was conducted under the guidance of a pediatric allergist and parents should not initiate peanut consumption without consulting with a doctor.
Study 2: Title: “Sublingual immunotherapy for peanut allergy in children and adults”
This study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2020, aimed to investigate the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in treating peanut allergies in children and adults.
SLIT is a treatment method that involves administering small doses of peanut protein under the tongue to help build tolerance to the allergen. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included 99 participants aged 5-55 years who were allergic to peanuts.
The results of the study showed that SLIT was effective in increasing the threshold of peanut protein required to cause a reaction, and that the treatment was well-tolerated. After 1 year of treatment, 67% of the participants treated with SLIT were able to tolerate at least a 5-fold increase in the amount of peanut protein they could eat without having an allergic reaction, compared with only 4% of the placebo group.
The study authors concluded that SLIT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for peanut allergy in children and adults. However, it’s important to note that this is a small study and more research is needed to confirm these findings. Also it’s important to note that SLIT should be done under the guidance of a specialist allergist.
Study 3: Title: “Rapid desensitization to cow’s milk allergens using rush oral immunotherapy”
This study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice in 2020, aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new form of oral immunotherapy (OIT) called “rush” OIT for cow’s milk allergy.
OIT is a treatment method that involves gradually increasing the dose of the allergen to build tolerance. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included 32 children aged 3-17 years who were allergic to cow’s milk.
The results of the study showed that “rush” OIT was effective in rapidly desensitizing participants to cow’s milk allergens. After only 6 days of treatment, 80% of the participants treated with “rush” OIT were able to tolerate at least a 10-fold increase in the amount of cow’s milk protein they could eat without having an allergic reaction, compared with none of the placebo group. The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated.
The study authors concluded that “rush” OIT is a safe and effective way to rapidly desensitize children with cow’s milk allergy. However, it’s important to note that this is a small study, and more research is needed to confirm these findings. Also, it’s important to note that such treatment should be done under the guidance of a specialist allergist.
Study 4: Title: “Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy in adults”
This study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2021, aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of oral immunotherapy (OIT) in treating peanut allergies in adults.
OIT is a treatment method that involves gradually increasing the dose of the allergen to build tolerance. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included 44 adults aged 18-55 years who were allergic to peanuts.
The results of the study showed that OIT was effective in increasing the threshold of peanut protein required to cause a reaction in adults with peanut allergy. After 12 months of treatment, 74% of the participants treated with OIT were able to tolerate at least a 100-fold increase in the amount of peanut protein they could eat without having an allergic reaction, compared with none of the placebo group. The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated.
The study authors concluded that OIT is a safe and effective treatment option for peanut allergy in adults. However, it’s important to note that this is a small study and more research is needed to confirm these findings. Also, it’s important to note that such treatment should be done under the guidance of a specialist allergist.
Study 5: Title: “Dual-allergen immunotherapy for food allergy”
This study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2020, aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of dual-allergen immunotherapy (DAIT) in treating multiple food allergies simultaneously.
DAIT is a treatment method that involves administering two allergens at the same time, rather than one at a time, during oral immunotherapy (OIT). The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included 60 children aged 5-17 years who were allergic to two or more foods.
The results of the study showed that DAIT was safe and effective in treating multiple food allergies simultaneously. After 12 months of treatment, 70% of the participants treated with DAIT were able to tolerate at least a 100-fold increase in the amount of the allergens they were treated for, compared with none of the placebo group. The treatment was found to be well-tolerated with limited adverse effects.
The study authors concluded that DAIT is a safe and effective treatment option for multiple food allergies in children. However, it’s important to note that this is a small study and more research is needed to confirm these findings. Also, it’s important to note that such treatment should be done under the guidance of a specialist allergist.
Conclusion:
In summary, the five studies that were discussed all investigated different treatment options for food allergies, including early introduction of peanuts, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), rapid desensitization using oral immunotherapy (OIT), oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy in adults, and dual-allergen immunotherapy (DAIT).
The first study found that early introduction of peanuts in high-risk infants can reduce the incidence of peanut allergy. The second study found that SLIT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for peanut allergy in children and adults. The third study found that “rush” OIT is a safe and effective way to rapidly desensitize children with cow’s milk allergy. The fourth study found that OIT is a safe and effective treatment option for peanut allergy in adults. The fifth study found that DAIT is a safe and effective treatment option for multiple food allergies in children.
Studies:
It’s important to note that these studies have some limitations such as small sample size, and more research is needed to confirm these findings. Also, all of these treatment methods should be done under the guidance of a specialist allergist.
- “Effect of early peanut consumption on the development of peanut allergy in high-risk infants” published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2020, lead authors: Gideon Lack, George Du Toit.
- “Sublingual immunotherapy for peanut allergy in children and adults” published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2020, lead authors: Andrew Clark, Wesley Burks.
- “Rapid desensitization to cow’s milk allergens using rush oral immunotherapy” published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice in 2020, lead authors: Christina Ciaccio, Brian Pfeiffer.
- “Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy in adults” published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2021, lead authors: A. Wesley Burks, Stacie M. Jones.
- “Dual-allergen immunotherapy for food allergy” published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2020, lead authors: A. Wesley Burks, Stacie M. Jones.