Scientists discover way of drastically cutting risk of kids becoming allergic ... trends now
Parents should introduce their children to peanut products from as young as four months old to prevent them developing allergies, experts say.
The number of people suffering allergic reactions to peanuts has risen three-fold in recent decades, and in severe cases the consequences can be deadly.
About one in 50 children are now affected, leading to a lifetime of worries about ingredients in their food.
But UK researchers have discovered a 'window of opportunity', between the ages of four and six months, which they say is the best time to introduce babies to peanuts.
And doing so could reduce peanut allergy incidences by as much as 77 per cent, they said.
Experts found that introducing peanut products to babies when they were four and six months reduced incidences of peanut allergies later in life by 77 per cent (stock image)
The team, from King's College London and the University of Southampton, said most peanut allergies have already developed by the time a child turns one.
They looked at data from the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) and Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) studies.
The Leap study involved 640 babies considered at high risk of developing peanut allergy and examined the early introduction of peanut products.
The Eat project saw more than 1,300 three-month-old babies recruited in England and Wales. They were tracked over several years to investigate the early introduction of six allergenic foods - milk, peanut, sesame, fish, egg and wheat.
Analysis, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, revealed it was best to introduce peanut products to babies at four to six months of age.
Doing so could reduce incidences of peanut allergies by 77 per cent, compared to just 33 per cent if peanuts are introduced when the child is a year old.
Babies at a higher risk of developing an allergy – for example if they already have eczema – should be started closer to four months, they added.
The NHS currently says nuts and peanuts can be introduced from about six months old as long as they're crushed, ground or a smooth nut or peanut butter.
Based on their findings, the scientists are calling for the Government to review the latest evidence.
Lead author Professor Graham Roberts said: 'Current guidance suggests that peanut should be introduced from around six months of age.
'The last government report on introducing food into babies' diets was published in 2018. Since then, a number of studies have been published that suggest earlier introduction of peanuts and other foods can help prevent allergies from developing.
'We think that the government should review the current guidance on when to introduce peanuts into babies' diet. In our view, peanuts should be introduced earlier if infants are developmentally ready for solids.'
He explained that a peanut allergy occurs when the body mistakes peanut as something dangerous and reacts to it.
'The reaction can involve the whole body – your lips may swell up, you may get an itchy rash
