It’s not available yet, but a skin patch that protects against peanut allergies is in the works. Research that was reported in 2015 found promising results after participants wore the patch for a year. Parents of a child who is allergic to peanuts may consult an allergist in Elizabethtown KY to learn the details about this device and to be contacted when it is available to the public.
Kids and adults with severe allergies to peanuts can develop a life-threatening reaction if they consume even a trace amount. This is scary for everyone concerned since traces of the substance sometimes are found in unexpected places, such as in ground spices. A skin patch that one day might be prescribed by an Allergist in Elizabethtown KY would desensitize the allergy to a certain extent. The patch contains tiny amounts of peanuts. Skin contact with peanuts does not cause serious reactions even in patients who are severely allergic. Some people may experience redness, discomfort, itching or a rash around the patch.
In the research, about half of the participants wearing the patch with the highest dose were able to safely eat a small amount of peanut protein after a year of the desensitization process. That’s excellent news for people who have been afraid to even get near peanuts or peanut butter. Studies have shown that the allergy not only can cause severe physical reactions but can result in psychological problems as well. People with this allergy understandably become nervous about eating any food they aren’t completely certain contains no trace of the substance. That can lead them to avoid eating at the homes of friends and relatives, or at restaurants. Eating any type of processed food may make them feel anxious since incidents have occurred wherein, traces of peanuts have unknowingly contaminated food products and caused serious reactions.
It could take a few years before research is complete and doctors are allowed to prescribe this patch. However, since peanut allergies often last a lifetime, the product may still be needed when the child is older. Parents may Visit Accredited Asthma Allergy & Food Intolerance Center to obtain help for a child with this type of allergy.
