A special toothpaste formula could be a lifesaver for people with peanut allergies, according to new research. The toothpaste in development would contain traces of peanuts to gradually boost patients’ immunity over time.
In the study, each participant was able to tolerate the highest dose of peanut-infused toothpaste without experiencing moderate or severe systemic reactions.
While some participants reported minor and short-lived itchiness in the mouth, the researchers considered this to be a non-systemic symptom.
Oral mucosal immunotherapy (OMIT), the method used in this approach, involves exposing people to their allergens in order to decrease their sensitivity and thus reduce reactions.
“OMIT uses a specially formulated toothpaste to deliver allergenic peanut proteins to areas of the oral cavity,” says the allergist William Berger from the American College of Allergology, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), in a statement.
As a delivery mechanism for peanut proteins, OMIT has great potential for desensitization of food allergies, says the specialist.
Because of its targeted delivery and simple administration, immunotherapy supports the goal of improving treatment adherence.
The researchers say that each person treated with the special toothpaste consistently withstood the maximum dose as described in the treatment protocol.
The ACAAI states that allergic reactions to peanuts can include symptoms such as vomiting, stomach cramps, wheezing, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, dizziness, and confusion, which are indications of systemic reactions impacting entire organ systems.
“We observed that 100% of those who were treated with the toothpaste consistently tolerated the highest dose pre-specified in the protocol. No moderate or severe systemic reactions occurred in active participants. Non-systemic adverse reactions were mostly local (oral itching), mild and transient”notes Dr. Berger.
The ACAAI study included 32 people ages 18 to 55 with peanut allergies.
During a 48-week test period, participants used either the hazelnut toothpaste or a placebo in a ratio of three to one.
Participants brushed their teeth with increasing doses of hazelnut toothpaste or a hazelnut-free version.
Safety was an ongoing goal, with blood tests performed to monitor each individual’s immune response to the allergen.
“There was 97% treatment adherence with no dropouts due to study medication. OMIT appears to be a safe and convenient option for adults with food allergies. The results support the continued development of this toothpaste in the pediatric population,” concludes Dr. Berger.
The findings were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), held November 9-13 in Anaheim, California.
2023-11-16 09:02:58
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