Peanut patch helps toddlers build tolerance to deadly allergy

By Stephen Beech

Peanut patch treatment helps toddlers safely build tolerance to the potentially deadly allergy, reveals new research.

More than 70% could tolerate three or four peanut kernels after a three-year course of treatment, say American scientists.

The findings offer encouraging news for parents of around one in 50 young children born with potentially deadly peanut allergies.

The long-term study found that a peanut patch treatment - called epicutaneous immunotherapy, or EPIT - continued to help toddlers safely build tolerance to peanuts over three years.

The treatment, known as the Viaskin Peanut Patch, delivers small amounts of peanut protein through the skin.

The goal is to train the immune system to tolerate peanut exposure and reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions from accidental ingestion.

The new analysis looked at toddlers who originally received a placebo in an earlier one-year study and then used the peanut patch for up to three years.

After three years of treatment, more than 70% of the children could tolerate the equivalent of at least three to four peanut kernels – a "significant" improvement from their first year of treatment.

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Nearly half could tolerate even higher amounts, according to the research team.

Study lead author Dr. Matthew Greenhawt said: "Importantly, the treatment continued to show a strong safety record.

"No cases of treatment-related anaphylaxis - a severe allergic reaction - were reported in the third year.

"Skin irritation at the patch site – the most common side effect – became less frequent over time."

The research team also found that children’s reactions during food challenges became milder, with fewer severe symptoms after three years than after one year.

Allergist Dr. Greenhawt, director of the Food Challenge and Research Unit at Children's Hospital Colorado, added: “These results show that ongoing treatment with the peanut patch continues to improve tolerance and remains safe over time.

“For parents of toddlers with peanut allergies, this kind of approach may one day offer peace of mind by reducing the risk of having an allergic reaction, including severe reactions, from accidental exposure.”

The findings add to growing evidence that early intervention in young children could help change the course of peanut allergy.

Researchers stressed that parents should not attempt any form of peanut desensitisation at home, and should discuss emerging treatment options with a qualified allergist.

The findings were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Orlando, Florida.