For many, a peanut may not seem like much of a threat. However, if you're among the unlucky minority who suffer from peanut allergies, every bite of food can be dangerous.
Yet scientists believe they have found a way to reduce peanut allergies by more than 70 percent.
So, what’s the trick? Simply introduce children to peanuts early. This might seem counterintuitive but introducing peanuts at a younger age can help the body adapt to them. Perhaps ironically, efforts to warn parents of the potential threat of peanuts has contributed to the rise in peanut allergies. Many parents grew afraid to introduce peanuts to their kids, which in turn may have made them more prone to allergic reactions.
Allergies are actually immune system reactions. When the allergen (meaning the substance that triggers the reaction) enters the body, the immune system identifies it as a threat and launches a response. Sometimes that response is overkill and can result in breathing issues, hives, and more. In some cases, people die.
Once extremely rare, as many as 2 percent of children in recent years have developed an allergy to peanuts. However, early exposure might make a severe overreaction less likely. That being said, it is crucial to speak with a doctor before engaging in any potentially risky exposure. Medical professionals can work with you to minimize risks. It's often best to start with skin tests, for example, and rather than whole peanuts, you might want to start with something like peanut puffs.
