Can a peanut allergy go away?
Posted on 29th February 2024
Peanut allergies are one of the most common and potentially severe food allergies, affecting millions of people worldwide. It involves an overreaction of the immune system to proteins found in peanuts, leading to symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. Understanding peanut allergies, their development, testing methods, and their potential to diminish over time is crucial for managing the condition and ensuring the safety of those affected. In this blog, our allergy compensation solicitors delve into these aspects, aiming to provide comprehensive insights into peanut allergies.
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What is a Peanut Allergy?
A peanut allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies peanut proteins as harmful, triggering an allergic reaction. This reaction can cause symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, gastrointestinal distress, difficulty breathing, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis—a potentially fatal condition requiring immediate medical attention.
What causes Peanut Allergies?
The exact cause of peanut allergies, like other food allergies, is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Exposure to peanuts can sensitise the immune system in some people, leading to an allergic response upon subsequent exposures.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing a peanut allergy include a family history of allergies, the presence of other allergic conditions such as eczema, and the timing and manner of introduction of peanuts into the diet during infancy, although medical advice should be sought about how to introduce your child to known allergens before attempting this.
How can you test for a peanut allergy?
If a peanut allergy is suspected, it is crucial to consult an allergist for a proper diagnosis. Testing may include:
Skin Prick Test:
This involves placing a small amount of peanut protein on the skin and then pricking the area to allow the allergen to enter just below the surface. A positive reaction typically results in a raised bump.
Blood Test:
A blood test can measure the presence of specific antibodies (IgE) to peanut proteins.
Oral Food Challenge:
Considered the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies, this test is performed under strict medical supervision. It involves consuming small, gradually increasing amounts of peanut to monitor for allergic reactions.
All of the above tests should only be conducted by suitably qualified medical professionals, so that the test administration and the results can be carefully monitored by someone who understands how to prevent further injury and manage the symptoms, especially if the tests do not go as planned.
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Can a Peanut Allergy Go Away Over Time?
For some children, a peanut allergy can diminish or resolve over time. Some studies suggest that as many as 20% of children with a peanut allergy eventually outgrow it. Regular follow-ups with an allergist can help assess whether the allergy is persisting. It’s important to note that re-introduction of peanuts into the diet should never be attempted without medical supervision, as the risk of a severe allergic reaction remains.
For those who do not outgrow their peanut allergy, avoiding peanuts and products containing peanuts is essential to prevent allergic reactions. Recent advances in allergy treatments, such as oral immunotherapy (OIT), offer hope for desensitising individuals to peanuts, potentially reducing the severity of reactions over time. However, these treatments are still considered relatively new and must be conducted under close medical supervision and only on the advice of a medical professional.
ITV News published an article which our allergy compensation solicitors found very interesting - Researchers have conducted a landmark study into Peanut allergies, and the ability to build up a tolerance to them in children.
The research was carried out by Researchers from Evelina London Children’s Hospital and King’s College London in which the suggestion was that immunotherapy, which is the process of gradually building up immunity against an allergy, such as a pollen therapy or a bee sting allergy, was a good method to help fight allergies.
Our team would explain that the therapy works by gradually introducing the children to peanuts, slowly desensitizing them to the allergy. The study was carried out on 500 children, aged 4 to 17, from across the United States and Europe. There were two focus groups, those who were exposed to Peanuts, and those who were exposed to a placebo drug.
The final results showed that 67% of the peanut taking focus group could tolerate at least 600mg of peanut protein, whereas only 4% of the placebo taking group could tolerate this amount.
This study could be a ground-breaking discovery for the science community, and could mean that, at some point in the future, Peanut allergies will be a thing of the past. Whilst none of our current team at MG Legal suffer from a Peanut allergy, we are pleased that this could help so many families and children, both locally to our allergy compensation solicitors, and indeed, across the World.
Peanut allergies are a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires careful management and medical oversight. Understanding the nature of the allergy, how it develops, and the available testing methods is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals affected. While there is a chance for some children to outgrow their peanut allergy, ongoing research and new treatment options offer hope for improved management and outcomes for those with the condition.
If you have suffered from your peanut allergy due to undisclosed peanuts in food, contact our allergy compensation solicitors to start your No Win No Fee claim. Our solicitors are experts in dealing with compensation claims, and can help you obtain compensation if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Call 01772 783314 or email allergy@mglegal.co.uk.
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This article was published on 22nd November 2018 and updated on 29 February 2024.
Tagged as: Food Allergy Compensation Claims, No Win No Fee Solicitors, Nut Allergy Compensation Claims
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