Peanut Allergy Treatment Shared-Decision-Making Tool

Welcome

If your 4-17-year-old has a peanut allergy, a new treatment may offer additional protection. Oral peanut immunotherapy slowly exposes an allergic child to peanuts so their immune system is less likely to react after an accidental ingestion of peanut product. That means if your child accidentally eats something containing peanuts, the treatment may protect them from a severe reaction. Even with this treatment, your child MUST continue to avoid peanuts and carry two epinephrine auto-injectors.

It's important to understand:

• The new treatment is not a cure – your child will still be allergic to peanuts and must avoid them.
• It will not enable your child to eat peanuts or peanut products anytime they wish.
• It works only while your child is taking it on a daily basis.
• Your child will need to continue to carry two epinephrine auto-injectors and you and your child will still need to read food labels.
• Reactions can occur due to the treatment itself.

For many children with peanut allergy and their parents, the benefits may be worth the drawbacks.

This tool helps you talk with your child's allergist to decide if this treatment might be a good option for your child.

The tool is easy to use:

• Read about peanut allergy and the therapy.
• Respond to a few simple statements based on your child’s temperament and preferences.
• Bring your answers to your child's next appointment.

About Peanut Allergy

Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies, occurring in one in 50 children. Peanuts or peanut protein can be found in many different types of foods and the consequences of exposure can be life-threatening.

To prevent allergic reactions, children with peanut allergies are taught to avoid peanuts, ask what’s in food before eating it, check nutrition labels and always carry two epinephrine autoinjectors. That works well for many children and their parents. Some parents may seek additional protection for their child, which may be provided by a new treatment called Palforzia™. However, the treatment has its risks and is not a cure. Whether or not they are taking the new treatment, if a child with a peanut allergy has a reaction, they should inject their epinephrine to reverse the allergic reaction and call 911 to be taken to the nearest emergency room.

Peanut Allergy Treatment

There are two options to avoid a reaction in children and adolescents ages 4 to 17 who have a peanut allergy. One is to continue to avoid peanuts and carry two autoinjectors of epinephrine. The other is to continue to do those things, as well as daily peanut allergy treatment.

This chart explains more about the two options.

Your Turn

The next step is to talk about the treatment with your child’s allergist. To help you figure out if the treatment might be an option for your child, note whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

All done!

Bring your answers to your child’s next appointment with the allergist.