On Dec. 3, 2020, a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital was the first to demonstrate that exposing children to a small, regular dose of an allergen (in this case, peanuts) in a real-world setting (outside of a clinical trial) was effective in reducing the risk of allergic reactions.

The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. One treatment aim was to reach desensitization, whereby the child can ingest a full serving of peanuts without triggering a dangerous reaction. Another goal is protection in the event of an accidental exposure