Peanut Butter Could Help Kids With Peanut Allergies, Says New Study
For years, parents of children with peanut allergies have been told the safest option is complete avoidance. But a new study from Mount Sinai suggests that for some kids — especially those with milder peanut allergies — a little bit of peanut butter might actually help them become less allergic over time.
What's the Big Idea?
Researchers studied 73 children between the ages of 4 and 14 who had high-threshold peanut allergies. That means they could already tolerate at least half a peanut without having a severe reaction.
They split the children into two groups:
One group slowly ate more and more peanut butter over time.
The other group kept avoiding peanuts completely.
The kids who ate peanut butter started with just a tiny amount — about 1/8 of a teaspoon — and increased the amount every couple of months. All of the increases happened under the watch of doctors to make sure it was safe.
What Happened?
After 18 months:
All of the kids who had been eating peanut butter could handle up to 3 tablespoons of it with no serious issues.
Only 3 kids in the peanut-free group could do the same.
Even better — no one in the peanut butter group had a severe reaction at home. Only one child needed treatment during a monitored dose increase at the doctor’s office.
Why This Matters
This gives hope to families who live in fear of accidental peanut exposure. It also shows that for some kids, peanut allergies might not be lifelong or as limiting as once thought — as long as treatment is guided by an allergy specialist.
Dr. Scott Sicherer, the lead researcher, said this study could change how we treat food allergies: "This could be a simpler, safer, and more affordable option for a lot of families."
Important Note
Do not try this at home on your own. Even if your child has a mild peanut allergy, you should always speak to an allergist before introducing peanuts. Contact our Allergists today & we can test your child and guide you through it safely.
