Per the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, peanut allergies are among the most common food allergies found in children in the United States.
A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health, suggests that there may be a way for parents to prevent allergies by feeding kids peanut butter early.
“Feeding children peanut products regularly from infancy to age 5 years reduced the rate of peanut allergy in adolescence by 71%,” the new NIH study suggests. Researchers shared the news in a press release earlier this week.
Researchers went on to say that children who weren’t fed peanuts or peanut products during the suggested age were found to have the, “peanut allergy [remain] significantly more prevalent in participants in the original peanut avoidance group than in the original peanut consumption group.
The research study was co-funded by the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Researchers provided “conclusive evidence that achieving long-term prevention of peanut allergy is possible through early allergen consumption” to support their hypothesis.
“Today’s findings should reinforce parents’ and caregivers’ confidence that feeding their young children peanut products beginning in infancy according to established guidelines can provide lasting protection from peanut allergy,” NIAID Director Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., M.P.H. commented per the release.
“If widely implemented, this safe, simple strategy could prevent tens of thousands of cases of peanut allergy among the 3.6 million children born in the United States each year.”
Allergic reaction to nuts and nut products can go beyond a simple rash, it can be life-threatening and fatal.
This new study will hopefully bring us closer to preventative measures for peanut allergy sufferers. A 2017 study from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology showed that childhood peanut allergies increased 21% since 2010, highlighting the fact that nearly 2.5% of U.S. children may have an allergy to peanuts.
Some common signs that your child may have a peanut product allergy include:
- a rash/hives
- digestive problems
- breathing issues
- anaphylaxis, a constricting of the airways
- swelling of the throat/lips
- tingling of the mouth/throat
- vomiting
- runny nose
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms after eating peanut products, contact your physician immediately.