Skin Patch Shows Promise for Children with Food Allergies

A new study published today in JAMA finds 35 percent of patients who used a skin patch to treat their peanut allergies saw significant improvement in their symptoms. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was one of the 31 worldwide sites chosen for the study.

Peanut allergies are relatively common in children, and severe reactions can result in anaphylaxis or even death. Since there are no treatments for peanut allergies, families are often told to avoid peanuts. However, it is difficult since families must read ingredient labels, and protect against cross contamination.

“Though only about 1 in 3 patients saw improvements, this is a great start,” says Terri Brown-Whitehorn, MD, an attending physician with the Division of Allergy and Immunology and study co-author. “Currently, there are no approved treatments for peanut allergies. If we can find ways to reprogram these children’s immune systems, that’s a step in the right direction.”

 You can view the study here.