A new American study revealed innovative ways to reduce the risk of peanut allergy in children under three years old, reshaping the preventive approach to food allergies.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association “JAMA Pediatrics” and based on data from more than 5,000 children, showed that early and regular exposure to peanut products reduces risks by up to 81%, especially when combined with simple interventions like daily use of moisturizing creams.

The study was led by a team of researchers from Columbia University and Boston Children’s Hospital, headed by Dr. Graham Logan. It included a cross-sectional analysis of 5,235 children aged between 3 and 15 months from diverse ethnic backgrounds (60% White, 20% African American, 15% Hispanic). Data were collected through questionnaires and skin tests from 2018 to 2024, focusing on children with no previous allergy signs.

The main findings revealed that children exposed to peanuts at least once before the fourth month experienced a 71% reduction in allergy risk compared to others. When this exposure was combined with daily use of moisturizing creams to prevent skin inflammation (such as eczema, which is linked to peanut allergy by 50%), effectiveness rose to 81%.

The study also found that irregular exposure (e.g., once every two weeks) only reduced risks by 45%, emphasizing the need for a regular routine. Precise statistics showed the incidence rate dropped from 3.2% in the avoidance group to 0.6% in the early exposure group.

However, the study noted limitations, such as reliance on parental self-reports and that results might be more applicable in Western contexts. Dr. Logan said, “This is not just a recommendation, but evidence that prevention starts in the kitchen, with small doses of diluted peanut butter in daily food.”

The World Health Organization indicates that peanut allergy affects about 2% of children in the United States and Europe and is one of the most serious allergies due to its potential to cause fatal allergic shocks.

Before this study, medical guidelines recommended avoiding allergens during the first year, but previous studies overturned this approach, warning that early avoidance might increase risks.