Article by Pnut King

Understanding Peanut Allergies and Breakthroughs in Treatment

Published on 11/08/2023 in Peanut News

Peanut allergies are a potentially fatal condition, affecting 6.1 million Americans.

They occur when your immune system identifies peanut proteins as something harmful, causing you to release symptom-causing chemicals into your bloodstream. 

You can be exposed to peanuts through direct contact with the nut itself, cross-contact with a product that has been near peanuts, or inhalation of peanut dust or aerosols containing peanuts. It’s unclear why some people develop this type of allergy whilst others don’t. But for those that do, it can be a serious issue. The most common treatment for a peanut allergy is simply avoiding any form of contact. 

But researchers are continuing to study different types of treatments and therapies to help people overcome this potentially debilitating condition. 

One of these is a new type of treatment known as Palforzia. This pioneering treatment isn’t intended to cure people of the allergy, but instead to build their tolerance over time to help reduce the severity of their allergic reactions. Similar to oral immunotherapy, Palforzia patients receive a monthly dose of medicine that contains defatted peanut flour.

Meaning their bodies can “practise” fighting off a chemically inactive form of peanuts. Just one potential step closer to helping people manage their peanut allergies. Find out more about the peanut innovations here: ‘The Future’