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20th February 2018
08:50pm GMT
A treatment that could be used to prevent severe reactions to peanuts could soon be available to those with the allergy.
Aimmune Therapeutics, a U.S. biotechnology company, tested out the treatment on roughly 500 children aged 4-17 who had severe allergic reactions to peanuts.
The treatment involved testing small doses of peanut, contained in small capsules and sprinkled on top of food.
This worked as a method of preventing a harsh allergic reaction by gradually getting the children used to very small amounts of peanut.
The company found that 67% of those who underwent the treatment were able to tolerate at least 600mg of peanut protein in a 'food challenge', versus 4 per cent of patients on a placebo.
There were no deaths or unexpected serious adverse reactions in the trial, according to Business Wire.
However, it is not recommended to try this method at home.
Dr. Stacie Jones, an allergy specialist said: "It's potentially dangerous."
"This is investigational. It has to be done in a very safe setting."
The Journal reported that the company plans to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment later this year and in Europe early in 2019.
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