In the United States, about 8% of kids have food allergies, and almost half of them are allergic to more than one food. But now, there's a new solution. The FDA approved a drug called omalizumab (also known as Xolair) for reducing allergic reactions in certain adults and kids over 1 year old with food allergies. This drug can help decrease the risk of severe reactions, like anaphylaxis.
A big study involving many places, including Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, found that omalizumab can help kids with multiple food allergies. In this study, they tested the drug on kids and adults who were allergic to things like peanuts, milk, eggs, and other common foods. They gave some people omalizumab and others a fake treatment. After a few months, they tested them again to see if they could eat more of the allergic foods without getting sick.
The results were promising. Those who got omalizumab could eat more peanuts and other allergenic foods without having bad reactions compared to those who didn't get the drug. This means that if someone accidentally eats something they're allergic to, this drug might help reduce the reaction.
Food allergies can be very serious, sometimes causing severe reactions where the body goes into shock. Before, there wasn't a specific treatment for this kind of situation. People usually used emergency medications like epinephrine. But now, omalizumab could provide another option to help prevent these reactions.
However, it's important to note that this drug doesn't cure food allergies, and people still need to avoid foods they're allergic to. Also, it's not meant for immediate treatment during an allergic reaction—it's more for reducing the risk of reactions over time. This research was supported by different organizations and companies, and the drug was originally used for treating asthma.
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