Sensitive to peanuts or eggs? Scientists may have found a new antidote. People who are allergic to, say, pollen or animal dander can receive allergy shots, in which they are injected with small amounts of the substances that make them itch and sniffle.
Similarly, researchers at National Jewish Medical and Research Center are feeding small amounts of the proteins from peanuts and eggs to the allergic patients, to see if their immune systems can tolerate the food. They will consume increasing amounts of the proteins until they get to a "maintenance" level (much like how allergy shots work).
The researchers' hope is to eventually find an actual preventative treatment for people with peanut and egg allergies, instead of just telling them to try their best to avoid the foods that might make them react. And for people with serious allergies like these, this will hopefully be encouraging news.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-21-2008 @ 2:54PM
Tiny Morsels said...
I have a peanut allergy and I would kill for a snickers bar. so this is great news.
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4-22-2008 @ 2:28AM
kerosene said...
This is a great idea! I did the sublingual (drops under the tongue) allergy treatment in my teens for my grass & pollen allergy, and it worked. Can't see why it wouldn't work for other things.
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4-22-2008 @ 2:13PM
jenny miller said...
Hi all. I am also allergic with egg. After eating egg some reddish marks appears on my entire body with mild irritation. A few days ago I consult with an alternative therapist and got positive result. This therapy is too good. I know a site where you all, who have any chronic type of allergy can register themselves. Its http://www.rvita.com.
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