Researchers at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and McMaster University have found that it is safer for individuals with peanut allergies to avoid peanuts altogether, rather than using current oral immunotherapy (OIT) designed to gradually desensitize peanut allergies.
The goal of OIT is to help prevent adverse reactions from accidental contact with peanuts.
However, in the process of working towards desensitization using OIT, individuals experience more allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) compared to placebo and to those who avoided peanuts altogether.