Currently, there is no cure forpeanut allergies,but there are some therapies that can diminish the effects in some people, as well as emergency treatments for severeanaphylaxis. Avoidance is still the most effective way to manage a peanut allergy, but sometimes that isn’t possible, and you can accidentally come into contact with peanuts, even if you try to avoid them.
Different forms of processing may alter the body’s reaction to the peanut allergen, and some research has focused on whether allergic reactions could vary depending on the way that peanuts are prepared.
Amar Lungare / Moment Open / Getty Images
How Processing and Cooking Changes Peanut Allergy
Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions to peanuts have resulted in dozens of deaths over the past 15 years. The rate of peanut allergies has dramatically increased in the 21st century and now affects approximately one percent of the population in the United States and other Westernized countries.
Preparation Methods
In other parts of the world, such as Korea, China, and Israel, the rate of peanut allergy is much lower than that of Westernized countries.
In Westernized countries, peanuts are commonly dry-roasted; in non-Westernized countries, however, peanuts are often boiled, fried, or pickled. Some researchers suggest that the lower rate of peanut allergy in these countries might have to do with how peanut is processed.
Peanut Allergens
Allergens are components that trigger an allergic reaction. Three major peanut allergens have been identified—Ara h 1,Ara h 2,andAra h 3. People living in the US with peanut allergy most commonly are allergic toAra h 2, especially those with the more severe forms of peanut allergy.
This is one potential explanation for why peanut allergies, especially severe forms, tend to be more common in Westernized countries than Asian countries.
Is There Currently a Cure for Peanut Allergy?
There is no cure for peanut allergies.Palforziais a type of oral immunotherapy that is approved for use in treating peanut allergies. It contains precise amounts of peanut protein and is given to children aged 1-17 every day to help decrease their sensitivity to small amounts of peanuts over time. People who take Palforzia must maintain a peanut-free diet and be under the supervision of a healthcare professional while on this form of oral immunotherapy.
If you or your child experience severe reactions, it’s important that you talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should have an EpiPen, and that you learnhow to use it.
There are a number of small studies focusing on the use oforal immunotherapyfor the treatment of peanut allergy.In one study, for example, participants were given increasing amounts of peanut flour (often in gelatin capsules) to swallow on a daily basis, for a period of weeks to months. After this time period, an oral challenge to peanut was used to determine how much peanut the person could then tolerate without experiencing an allergic reaction.
Reported results of immunotherapy for treating peanut allergy:
Do not attempt this type of therapy on your own. According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, immunotherapy should only be done in a healthcare provider’s office or medical setting where treatment can be provided in case of an allergic reaction.
If you are interested in immunotherapy, you can contact your allergist to weigh your risks and benefits.
Peanut allergy immunotherapy is a treatment, not a cure, for peanut allergy. It is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions after accidental exposure to peanuts. If you receive immunotherapy for your peanut allergy, you should still avoid peanuts and talk to your healthcare provider about using an EpiPen in the event of anaphylaxis.
Could Boiling Peanuts Lead to a Cure for Food Allergies?
The idea behind boiling peanuts is based on principles of immunotherapy, as well as experience associated with other food allergies.
Past studies have shown that through extensive heating, allergens in certain foods, such as milk andegg, are altered.Most people with milk and egg allergies tolerate these foods when they are extensively heated. And, some people with milk or egg allergies who frequently eat these products in their heated form outgrow their allergies.
A recent study was performed on four children with peanut allergies who ate boiled peanuts in increasing amounts every day over the course of months. After months of this exposure, some of the children were able to eat raw peanuts.Experts suggest that sustained and frequent exposure to low amounts ofAra h 2may lead to the development of oral tolerance.
While these results are not definitive in terms of directing any type of treatment for peanut allergy, the information adds to the scientific knowledge about peanut allergies.
If you have a peanut allergy, it is very important that you do not try eating boiled peanuts at home on your own. The above-mentioned study only included a small number of patients, and people who have a peanut allergy can experience severe life-threatening allergic reactions from eating boiled peanuts.
If you have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy, you can talk to your healthcare provider about whether you qualify to take Palforzia or to participate in any research trials.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loh W, Tang MLK.The Epidemiology of Food Allergy in the Global Context.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(9):2043. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/ijerph15092043Kusari A, Han A, Eichenfield L.Recent advances in understanding and preventing peanut and tree nut hypersensitivity.F1000Res. 2018;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1716. Published 2018 Oct 30. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14450.1Zhuang Y, Dreskin SC.Redefining the major peanut allergens.Immunol Res. 2013;55(1-3):125–134. doi:10.1007/s12026-012-8355-xBeyer K, Morrow E, Li XM, Bardina L, Bannon GA, Burks AW, Sampson HA.Effects of cooking methods on peanut allergenicity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2001 Jun;107(6):1077-81. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.115480. PMID: 11398088.Chu DK, Wood RA, French S, et al.Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy (PACE): a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Lancet.Vickery BP, Berglund JP, Burk CM, et al.Early oral immunotherapy in peanut-allergic preschool children is safe and highly effective.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(1):173–181.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.05.027Burk CM, Dellon ES, Steele PH, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis during peanut oral immunotherapy with omalizumab.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(2):498–501. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2016.11.010Allergy and Asthma Network. Peanut Allergy Treatment.Remington BC, Westerhout J, Campbell DE, Turner PJ.Minimal impact of extensive heating of hen’s egg and cow’s milk in a food matrix on threshold dose-distribution curves.Allergy. 2017;72(11):1816–1819. doi:10.1111/all.13198Turner PJ, Mehr S, Sayers R, et al.Loss of allergenic proteins during boiling explains tolerance to boiled peanut in peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.Zhang T, Shi Y, Zhao Y, Tang G, Niu B, Chen Q.Boiling and roasting treatment affecting the peanut allergenicity.Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(18):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2018.05.08Additional ReadingSampson HA. Peanut Oral Immunotherapy: Is It Ready for Clinical Practice. J Allergy Clin Immunol.Turner PJ, et al. Loss of Allergenic Proteins During Boiling Explains Tolerance to Boiled Peanut in Peanut Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.In Press.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loh W, Tang MLK.The Epidemiology of Food Allergy in the Global Context.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(9):2043. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/ijerph15092043Kusari A, Han A, Eichenfield L.Recent advances in understanding and preventing peanut and tree nut hypersensitivity.F1000Res. 2018;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1716. Published 2018 Oct 30. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14450.1Zhuang Y, Dreskin SC.Redefining the major peanut allergens.Immunol Res. 2013;55(1-3):125–134. doi:10.1007/s12026-012-8355-xBeyer K, Morrow E, Li XM, Bardina L, Bannon GA, Burks AW, Sampson HA.Effects of cooking methods on peanut allergenicity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2001 Jun;107(6):1077-81. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.115480. PMID: 11398088.Chu DK, Wood RA, French S, et al.Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy (PACE): a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Lancet.Vickery BP, Berglund JP, Burk CM, et al.Early oral immunotherapy in peanut-allergic preschool children is safe and highly effective.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(1):173–181.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.05.027Burk CM, Dellon ES, Steele PH, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis during peanut oral immunotherapy with omalizumab.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(2):498–501. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2016.11.010Allergy and Asthma Network. Peanut Allergy Treatment.Remington BC, Westerhout J, Campbell DE, Turner PJ.Minimal impact of extensive heating of hen’s egg and cow’s milk in a food matrix on threshold dose-distribution curves.Allergy. 2017;72(11):1816–1819. doi:10.1111/all.13198Turner PJ, Mehr S, Sayers R, et al.Loss of allergenic proteins during boiling explains tolerance to boiled peanut in peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.Zhang T, Shi Y, Zhao Y, Tang G, Niu B, Chen Q.Boiling and roasting treatment affecting the peanut allergenicity.Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(18):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2018.05.08Additional ReadingSampson HA. Peanut Oral Immunotherapy: Is It Ready for Clinical Practice. J Allergy Clin Immunol.Turner PJ, et al. Loss of Allergenic Proteins During Boiling Explains Tolerance to Boiled Peanut in Peanut Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.In Press.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Loh W, Tang MLK.The Epidemiology of Food Allergy in the Global Context.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(9):2043. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/ijerph15092043Kusari A, Han A, Eichenfield L.Recent advances in understanding and preventing peanut and tree nut hypersensitivity.F1000Res. 2018;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1716. Published 2018 Oct 30. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14450.1Zhuang Y, Dreskin SC.Redefining the major peanut allergens.Immunol Res. 2013;55(1-3):125–134. doi:10.1007/s12026-012-8355-xBeyer K, Morrow E, Li XM, Bardina L, Bannon GA, Burks AW, Sampson HA.Effects of cooking methods on peanut allergenicity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2001 Jun;107(6):1077-81. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.115480. PMID: 11398088.Chu DK, Wood RA, French S, et al.Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy (PACE): a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Lancet.Vickery BP, Berglund JP, Burk CM, et al.Early oral immunotherapy in peanut-allergic preschool children is safe and highly effective.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(1):173–181.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.05.027Burk CM, Dellon ES, Steele PH, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis during peanut oral immunotherapy with omalizumab.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(2):498–501. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2016.11.010Allergy and Asthma Network. Peanut Allergy Treatment.Remington BC, Westerhout J, Campbell DE, Turner PJ.Minimal impact of extensive heating of hen’s egg and cow’s milk in a food matrix on threshold dose-distribution curves.Allergy. 2017;72(11):1816–1819. doi:10.1111/all.13198Turner PJ, Mehr S, Sayers R, et al.Loss of allergenic proteins during boiling explains tolerance to boiled peanut in peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.Zhang T, Shi Y, Zhao Y, Tang G, Niu B, Chen Q.Boiling and roasting treatment affecting the peanut allergenicity.Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(18):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2018.05.08
Loh W, Tang MLK.The Epidemiology of Food Allergy in the Global Context.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(9):2043. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/ijerph15092043
Kusari A, Han A, Eichenfield L.Recent advances in understanding and preventing peanut and tree nut hypersensitivity.F1000Res. 2018;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1716. Published 2018 Oct 30. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14450.1
Zhuang Y, Dreskin SC.Redefining the major peanut allergens.Immunol Res. 2013;55(1-3):125–134. doi:10.1007/s12026-012-8355-x
Beyer K, Morrow E, Li XM, Bardina L, Bannon GA, Burks AW, Sampson HA.Effects of cooking methods on peanut allergenicity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2001 Jun;107(6):1077-81. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.115480. PMID: 11398088.
Chu DK, Wood RA, French S, et al.Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy (PACE): a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Lancet.
Vickery BP, Berglund JP, Burk CM, et al.Early oral immunotherapy in peanut-allergic preschool children is safe and highly effective.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(1):173–181.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.05.027
Burk CM, Dellon ES, Steele PH, et al.Eosinophilic esophagitis during peanut oral immunotherapy with omalizumab.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(2):498–501. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2016.11.010
Allergy and Asthma Network. Peanut Allergy Treatment.
Remington BC, Westerhout J, Campbell DE, Turner PJ.Minimal impact of extensive heating of hen’s egg and cow’s milk in a food matrix on threshold dose-distribution curves.Allergy. 2017;72(11):1816–1819. doi:10.1111/all.13198
Turner PJ, Mehr S, Sayers R, et al.Loss of allergenic proteins during boiling explains tolerance to boiled peanut in peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.
Zhang T, Shi Y, Zhao Y, Tang G, Niu B, Chen Q.Boiling and roasting treatment affecting the peanut allergenicity.Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(18):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2018.05.08
Sampson HA. Peanut Oral Immunotherapy: Is It Ready for Clinical Practice. J Allergy Clin Immunol.Turner PJ, et al. Loss of Allergenic Proteins During Boiling Explains Tolerance to Boiled Peanut in Peanut Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol.In Press.
Sampson HA. Peanut Oral Immunotherapy: Is It Ready for Clinical Practice. J Allergy Clin Immunol.
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