Tackling Childhood Peanut Allergies During Food Allergy Awareness Week, Experts Discuss the Impact on Children, the Limitations of ‘Avoidance’, and Innovative New Treatment Options
New York, NY
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May 17, 2024 10:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Right now, more children in the U.S. are living with peanut allergy than ever before, and approximately 75% will not outgrow their allergy. Recently, Pediatric Allergist, Dr. Douglas Mack, and Sarah Korieshi, the Mother of a peanut allergic child, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the impact on children and innovative new treatment options that can help.
A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/5uKicnsGHv8
The repercussions of this condition are profound, extending beyond mere dietary restrictions to impacting a child's daily life, social interactions, and overall well-being. The constant fear of accidental exposure and the potential for severe allergic reactions can also be extremely difficult for families to navigate.
The increase in prevalence over the past 20 years has driven a growing need for effective treatment options to manage the condition. For doctors, that means treatments that reduces the likelihood of an allergic reaction in the case of accidental exposure, and treatments that work within the lifestyle of the child and family.
The good news is that recent years have brought about a spate of new innovations in the allergy space. For example, there is currently an ongoing clinical trial evaluating ViaskinTM Peanut, a patch containing the equivalent of one one-thousandth of one peanut kernel. The patch is applied each day to a child’s back in order to build up a tolerance to peanut protein, making it less likely that a child will have a reaction after an accidental exposure.
For parents, a treatment like this would be life-changing, as a non-invasive option – something that can be incorporated into our busy lives, without any restrictions to regular activities. Having access to a treatment option that allows children and parents to participate in typical activities for a child, such as birthday parties, sports activities, attending camp, or even school, would give parents peace of mind and children the care-free life they deserve.
For more information, visit vitesseallergystudy.com
About Dr. Douglas Mack
Dr. Mack is co-author of clinical guidelines on the prevention of allergy, oral immunotherapy and anaphylaxis and focuses on oral immunotherapy for food at Halton Pediatric Allergy clinic. Dr. Douglas Mack has been a pediatric allergy, asthma, and immunology specialist for over 10 years. Dr. Mack is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University and is an affiliate of Sick Kids. He sits on the board of directors at the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. He is co-author of clinical guidelines on the prevention of allergy, oral immunotherapy, and anaphylaxis. Dr. Mack is co-founder of Halton Pediatric Allergy clinic where his focus is on oral immunotherapy for food.
About Sarah Korieshi
Sarah learned that her daughter Zara had a deadly peanut allergy when she was just 9 months old. The first thing she thought was, not only how life-threatening eating a food can be, but also living with the constant fear of what may happen every time she eats. There has always been constant fear with how unpredictable a reaction can be, and the anxiety that comes with solely relying on avoidance really takes a toll.
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