Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/FedQyWPCnNM   To induce tolerance to peanuts in those allergic to them, tiny amounts of peanut protein under the tongue, so called Sublingual Immunotherapy or SLIT, work better with fewer dangerous side effects than swallowing the peanuts or wearing a peanut patch.  Allergists at The University of North Carolina announce this conclusion from their ongoing study of 48 patients treated with daily tongue immunizations and followed over the past 8 years.   Two-thirds of the patients were successfully immunized so that they tolerated a reasonable peanut exposure without serious consequences.  The goal of peanut allergy therapy is to prevent a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction rather than to permit kids to safely ingest a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch.   SLIT therapy for peanut allergy appears to be effective, safe, and cheap.  It will permit more kids to participate in more activities more freely without fear of impending disaster.   Edwin H. Kim et al. Long-term sublin