Why so many peanut allergies?

Ottawa – Worried about peanut allergies in children? A practice article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) outlines five things to know about early introduction of peanuts in infants to reduce the risk of peanut allergy.

• Infants who are fed peanut protein regularly have a lower risk of peanut allergy.
• To prevent peanut allergy, peanut protein (such as peanut butter or powdered puff) may be introduced at home for most babies between 4 and 6 months as one of the first foods.
• Babies with severe eczema are more likely to have peanut allergy, and those with no or only mild eczema are best-suited for peanut introduction in the home.
• Infants with risk factors for peanut allergy, such as severe eczema, egg allergy or both, should be seen by a specialist before peanut therapy introduction.
  To reduce the risk of peanut allergy, 8 grams of peanut protein (1 heaped teaspoon of peanut butter) should be eaten at least twice a week.

1. July 22, 6:54 am by CARLOS.YU.1 (ON)
   Does this finding also imply that the evidence-based, scholarly and well intended advise taught and disseminated by the medical community “to wait to introduce certain food till 12 month of age” may have actually contributed to the growing allergy challenges?
   What other potentially harmful advises are we disseminating as physicians?
   How do we know how to “first do no harm?”