Government Report Shows Food Allergies Up Among KidsPOSTED: 5:50 pm EDT October 24,
2008 Often perceived as harmless annoyances, food allergies can be deadly, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said those dangerous allergies are increasing among children at an alarming rate.Peyton, a 3-year-old boy participating in a study at Duke University Medical Center, is severely allergic to peanuts.The study is designed to see if exposing him to the very thing to which he's allergic will help build up a tolerance."The theory behind it is you start out at very low doses and build up over time, and as you do that you lessen the allergic side effects," said Dr. Wesley Burks.A liquid or powdered form of peanuts is given to allergic children.The initial dose is one one-thousandth of a peanut."I take six peanuts, and it's very cool because I never thought I would be able to even eat one," said study participant Elissa Miller.Sandy Miller, Elissa's mom, said she no longer has to worry about sending her out because she knows she can handle it.The treatment changes how the body's immune system reacts to peanuts.Researchers are finding ancient Chinese herbs bring similar test results.Human trials are just beginning, but in mice, the herbal concoction virtually eliminated peanut allergies."I must say in the last couple of years, I am finally hopeful that we are going to have something to offer," said Dr. Huge Sampson, a pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital.The herbs may work on tree nuts, fish and shellfish allergies as well. Related Links:
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