First drug to treat peanut allergies in children gets approval in US
A NEW drug for peanut allergies in kids has been approved in America.
Palforzia is given to children so they receive small but increasing amounts of peanut protein over a six-month period.
They continue to take a daily dose as powder sprinkled on food in case of accidental exposure, but must not eat nuts.
It has not yet been approved for use in the UK or been launched in this country.
The cost to the NHS is likely to be several thousand pounds a year per patient.
Scientists at King's College London have said oral immunotherapy could offer "protection but not a cure" for peanut allergies.
At present patients have to use a pen contain adrenalin if they suffer accidental exposure.
Reduce the risk
Palforzia, which has been approved for use in patients aged between four and 17, reduces the risk of a severe reaction.
An allergy to nuts is is thought affect one in every 100 people - meaning hundreds of thousands of Brits are likely to be at risk of anaphylactic shock.
Cases of anaphylaxis can be fatal - like in the case of Megan Lee, who an inquest heard likely died of an anaphylactic shock after eating a meal from the mice-infected Royal Spice takeaway in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.
How can anaphylactic shock be reversed?
If you see someone with symptoms of anaphylaxis, here are the five things you should do straight away...
- Call 999 immediately
- Carefully remove any trigger: e.g. a wasp or bee sting stuck in the skin
- Lie the person down flat: unless they are unconscious, pregnant or having breathing difficulties
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) if the person has one: but only after reading instructions/if you already know how to use it
- Use it again after five to 15 minutes: if the symptoms don't improve.
After an anaphylactic shock, the patient will need to go to hospital for between six and 12 hours, because the symptoms can reoccur during this period.
They may be given an oxygen mask to help breathing, fluids to increase blood pressure, and antihistamines or steroids to help relieve symptoms.
If the patient doesn't already have an EpiPen, they may be given one before they go home.
If you have ever had a serious allergic reaction or gone into anaphylactic shock before, you should:
- Identify and avoid any triggers
- Carry your adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) at all times
- Give yourself an injection if you think you are experiencing anaphylaxis, even if you are not completely sure.
The Sun even launched a campaign to ban nuts on ALL flights after a former ITV producer, Amy May Shead, was left brain damaged after a single bite of chicken containing nuts.
And last year, 'Natasha's Law' came into force which requires all food business to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged food.
The law was introduced following years of tireless campaigning from Nadim and his family - after his daughter passed away from an anaphylactic shock after eating a Pret a Manger baguette that was not labelled on a flight to Nice in France in 2016.