Allergy Treatment Promising

WASHINGTON (AP) - A handful of children once severely allergic
to peanuts now can eat them without worry. Scientists have
retrained their immune systems so they're allergy-free.
It's a small study and doctors stress not to try this at home -
it could spark a deadly reaction. But scientists at Duke University
and Arkansas Children's Hospital gave children very tiny amounts of
peanut flour daily for over two years.
Gradually the kids became less sensitive. So far, five show no
remaining sign of the allergy.
Larger studies are beginning to see if the treatment works for
more people and how long it lasts. But it marks new hope for the
nearly 2 million Americans who are allergic to peanuts.
The findings were announced Sunday at a meeting of allergy
specialists in Washington.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)