A recent study has found that a toothpaste infused with peanut proteins did not cause any serious side effects in people with a peanut allergy, and it showed early signs of preventing dangerous reactions. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, aimed to fill the gap in available treatments for peanut allergies, which affect millions of people in the US and UK.
The study involved 32 adults with a peanut allergy, with 24 of them using the peanut toothpaste and the remaining participants using a placebo toothpaste without the peanut proteins. All participants were instructed to brush their teeth every morning with a pea-sized amount of either the peanut or placebo toothpaste, with their usual toothpaste used in the evening. The peanut content in the toothpaste was gradually increased over the 48-week trial.
The study found that none of the participants experienced any moderate or severe reactions to either toothpaste. However, about half of the participants in the peanut-toothpaste group reported temporary itching in their mouths, which did not occur in the placebo group. At the end of the trial, three participants in the peanut-toothpaste group were exposed to 300 milligrams of peanut proteins and did not experience any allergic reactions.
The researchers now plan to further test the toothpaste's effectiveness in around 80 children, as children typically have a stronger immune response than adults. They believe toothpastes could be a unique way of preventing allergic reactions, as they are part of people's daily dental hygiene routine.
While this study shows promising results in terms of safety and potential effectiveness, it is important to note that further research is needed to validate these findings. The researchers hope that this toothpaste could eventually provide a new treatment option for people with peanut allergies, who currently have limited options beyond avoidance.