Could the answer to preventing peanut allergies in children be as simple as when they first try them? A new study is challenging long-held fears and offering parents a new way to think about food allergies.
The research about early peanut introduction, published in the American Academy of Pediatrics, is gaining global attention. It could completely change how we protect children from developing food allergies that may last for the rest of their lives.
PEANUT ALLERGIES IN CHILDREN: WHY EARLY PEANUT INTRODUCTION MATTERS
Controlled trials done on high-risk infants found that introducing peanuts between 4 and 6 months could reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy by as much as 80%.
Instead of avoiding allergens, early peanut introduction teaches the immune system to tolerate peanuts, that they are safe and not something to fight. Researchers note that while more long-term data are needed, the evidence is clear: starting early makes a measurable difference in reducing peanut allergies in children.
Interestingly, public awareness of peanut allergies is not always accurate. For instance, a recent media controversy arose when Uber Eats faced backlash for a Super Bowl advert that joked about peanut allergies.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PARENTS AND PRACTITIONERS
Parents can talk to a paediatrician or allergy specialist before introducing peanut-based foods, ideally around 4 to 6 months, depending on their baby’s health and risk factors. A little bit of watered-down peanut butter or peanut purée is a safe way to start. Whole peanuts can be a choking hazard.
Healthcare professionals can use the findings to share updated baby feeding guidelines and support families in introducing allergenic foods safely. If widely adopted, experts estimate that early peanut introduction could prevent thousands of childhood peanut allergies annually.
Early peanut introduction is confirming a major shift in allergy prevention, proving that timing, not avoidance, may be the key to reducing risk.
Do you know someone with a peanut allergy? How has it affected them?
