Scientists are Closer to a Cure for Peanut Allergies

A team of doctors from Cambridge's Addenbrooke Hospital believe that they have found a cure for peanut allergies. They exposed a group of four children to peanuts over a six-month period and gradually built up their tolerance. By the end of the study the children were eating about five peanuts a day.

Scientists have desensitised people from pollen and wasp allergies but this is the first time they have been successful in doing this with a food allergy. More follow-up is required to confirm the results of this study.

The research team gave the children tiny 5mg doses of peanut flour every day before they started introducing 800mg, which is the equivalent to five whole peanuts.

The scientists said that this is not a permanent cure, but if the children keep taking a daily dose of peanuts this will help them maintain their tolerance. The researchers have expanded the study to include 18 more children. They believe that this could also work for adults.