A potential treatment for peanut allergies
(NBC NEWS) – People with a severe peanut allergy may have a new option to protect themselves from a life-threatening reaction.
The treatment is called sublingual immunotherapy and involves putting a tiny amount of peanut protein under the tongue.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina tracked 48 patients who underwent the procedure every day for 5 years.
By the end of the study, two-thirds were able to tolerate 750-milligrams of peanut protein without serious side effects.
And 25-percent could tolerate 5,000 milligrams.
Experts say the goal of this treatment is not for people to be able to eat a peanut butter sandwich but to keep them safe in case of accidental exposure.
