Researchers recently conducted a new study on a toothpaste that can prevent severe reactions in people allergic to peanuts. The first human clinical trials have already been completed and so far the results appear to be very positive.
Until now, a common way to treat this type of allergy has been through oral immunotherapy, in which people are given small doses of peanuts over a long period of time to desensitize the immune system to the problematic protein.
New treatment
Following previously used methods, scientists at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) have developed a new toothpaste that delivers small amounts of peanut allergenic protein directly into the mouth as people brush the inside.
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, researchers gathered 32 adults between the ages of 18 and 55 with peanut allergies. For 48 weeks, participants received an escalating dose of toothpaste or a placebo. The study team also performed dietary tests and used blood tests to study these individuals’ “exploratory biomarkers,” which provide a solid indication of how someone’s immune system is responding to treatment.
One of the main points of a first phase clinical trial is to verify whether the treatment is second phase. In this sense, toothpaste seems to have passed with flying colors. The therapy was well tolerated by test subjects and only a few mild side effects were reported. Nonsystemic adverse reactions were mainly local, such as mild and transient oral pruritus.
Furthermore, the vast majority of participants stuck to the treatment plan, indicating that it would be easy and convenient for the general public to use.
Next steps
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the world. In the United States, for example, approximately 1-2% of the population suffers from this problem. This allergy is caused by an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to the proteins found in peanuts. The body mistakenly identifies these proteins as harmful substances and creates a response to defend itself against them.
This immune response can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe, such as hives, inflammation, difficulty breathing, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. The number of people with peanut allergies has tripled in recent decades. Children tend to be more at risk than adults, considering that 20% of people with peanut allergy overcome the problem without having to do anything.
Given the success of the results obtained with the toothpaste, the researchers now hope to see if their treatment works well on children too. “The findings support the continued development of this toothpaste in the pediatric population,” emphasized study author and ACAAI member Dr. William Berger in an official statement.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
