General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Mom Demands School Go Peanut-Free For Allergic Child [View all]unblock
(52,765 posts)if we could be assured that it would work and be a safe and effective long-term solution for him, of course we would move heaven and earth to get it done for him (though we likely would try to plan most of it over a summer to minimize the interference with school).
but it's simply not ready for prime time. among the problems is that the long term success and effects remain unknown. there is some evidence from studies of desensitization program for other allergens (milk, e.g.) that any desensitization gained from these programs fade over time. even worse outcomes can't be ruled out, for instance, the end result of all this might be to make the immune system less receptive to some later, more otherwise successful form of treatment. we could easily be doing him more harm than good. as i have said, the experts in the field have essentially advised us to continue to pay attention to this promising line of research, but to wait as far as mini-unblock is concerned.
www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(12)00025-6/fulltext
The prevalence of peanut allergy in the United States and other Westernized countries has tripled in the past 15 years, now affecting more than 1% of the population. Strict peanut avoidance is the current standard of care. In the past decade, a number of small, largely uncontrolled clinical trials have suggested that oral immunotherapy (OIT) can effectively desensitize most children with peanut allergy. Some in the allergy community now feel that OIT is ready for clinical practice. In this review, the evidence base in the medical literature is examined. Although peanut OIT shows promise, the evidence currently available on its effectiveness, risk benefit, and potential long-term consequences is insufficient to support its use in clinical practice. Appropriately designed, prospective clinical trials are urgently needed to determine whether OIT is a safe, effective form of therapy for food allergy.