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Peanut Allergy Breakthrough: Toddlers Conquer Nuts
8 May
Summary
- Peanut exposure therapy helps preschool children overcome allergies.
- Most children tolerated up to 25 peanuts after three years of treatment.
- Treatment requires controlled medical settings, not at-home attempts.
Exposure therapy has shown significant success in helping preschool children overcome peanut allergies, according to a study published on May 6, 2026. Researchers treated 75 toddlers aged 1 to 3 diagnosed with peanut allergies, varying in severity.
The study involved a randomized group of 50 children receiving peanut exposure therapy, while 25 others avoided peanuts entirely. The therapy began with a very low dose in a hospital setting and continued at home with daily increasing amounts, reaching a maintenance dose of about one and a half peanuts daily.
After three years, 82% of the children in the exposure therapy group could consume at least three and a half peanuts without allergic reactions. This contrasts sharply with the 12% in the control group who achieved the same. Most children in the treated group could eventually eat up to 25 peanuts.
While side effects were generally mild, such as itchy mouths or skin rashes, more serious reactions occurred during dose escalation. A few children required adrenaline injections, highlighting the necessity for medical oversight. Researchers plan to further investigate immune system changes and long-term tolerance in these children.
