Latest Food Allergy News

DBV Technologies Announces 2-Year Results from Ongoing Phase 3 Open-Label Extension to the EPITOPE Trial (EPOPEX) of Viaskin™ Peanut in Toddlers
DBV Technologies recently shared early results from their EPOPEX study. The study is part of a larger project called EPITOPE. The research is testing a treatment called Viaskin Peanut for toddlers ages 1 to 3 with a peanut allergy. In the EPOPEX study, participants are continuing treatment for three years. The published results show positive outcomes. After 24 months of treatment, more participants were able to be exposed to higher doses of peanut without having allergic reactions compared to the 12-month results. Also, they had no serious side effects and had fewer mild reactions at the application site at 24 months. Participants who initially received a placebo but later switched to Viaskin Peanut also showed positive results similar to the participants who received the active treatment from the beginning.

Study Shows Children with Private Insurance More Likely to Outgrow Food Allergies
A recent study suggests that children with private insurance are more likely to outgrow food allergies than children with public insurance. The study, part of the FORWARD project, examined 188 children of diverse backgrounds to look at trends in outgrowing food allergy. The results showed that 21% of participants outgrew at least one food allergy, with milk and egg allergies being the most commonly outgrown. Notably, 29% of children with private insurance reported outgrowing allergies compared to 12% with public insurance. The research provides insights into why and how children from various racial backgrounds outgrow food allergies. The results can inform efforts to find cures and ease the burdens on children with allergic conditions and their families.

Flaxseed Allergy Appearing More Frequently – Present in Foods and Other Substances
Flaxseed is growing in popularity due to its perceived health benefits, but a new study looked at its potential to cause allergic reactions. The research looked at two cases of flaxseed allergy. In one case, an 18-month-old experienced a rash after eating flaxseed for the first time. Tests revealed a positive reaction to various nuts and seeds, confirming an allergy to flaxseed. The second case involved an artist developing severe skin reaction from oil paints containing flaxseed-based oil. Patch testing identified flaxseed as the cause of the reaction. These cases emphasize that flaxseed, used in both food and art supplies, may trigger allergic reactions. The researchers note that awareness of potential flaxseed allergies is crucial for both food and occupational safety.

New Study Examines Potential Factors Related to the Development of Adult-Onset Food Allergy
While food allergies are common, the exact cause for why they develop is unknown. New research collected data from more than 78,000 people and found common themes among the respondents with food allergies. About one in five respondents reported eating too much of an allergenic food was linked to their allergy, while 12% of adults pointed to antibiotic use. Also, nearly one in four caregivers mentioned that their child's food allergy developed during a viral infection. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding triggers for food allergies, suggesting that early introduction of certain allergenic foods, like peanuts, can prevent allergies. It also highlights the need for further exploration into factors contributing to adult-onset allergies, such as infections and environmental changes.

Language Barriers May Cause Some Children to be Underdiagnosed for Allergic Conditions
In a new study, researchers looked at how language barriers affect the diagnosis of allergic conditions in children. The study analyzed electronic health records of 16,517 children and found disparities in allergy diagnoses based on language preferences. Among those speaking a language other than English, asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis were diagnosed at lower rates compared to English-speaking children. Food allergy was also diagnosed at a slightly lower rate. The study highlights how people with limited English proficiency have barriers to care and offers insight into ways to improved care to patients.