Peanut Allergies Are Declining. Here’s Why

You Should Know: Between 1997 and 2010, the rate of peanut allergies in U.S. children quadrupled. But new research has found the incidence of peanut allergies in kids has declined significantly in recent years — by a whopping 43%. (A real boon for all of those now able to enjoy this stuff.)

Going Deeper: As more and more children developed peanut and other food allergies between the late 1990s and mid-2000s, the official guidance was to wait to expose children to peanuts, eggs, and other common allergens until they were toddlers. But a 2015 study found exposing infants to peanuts reduced allergy risk by over 80%, resulting in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases changing its stance and recommending early exposure in 2017. 

Takeaway: New research published in Pediatrics found the rate of food allergies in children fell by 36% and peanut allergies by 43% following this 2017 shift. But other research shows some pediatricians and many parents are still leery of giving babies peanut products when they’re that young.

Bottom Line: The data shows a correlation between early exposure and the decline in peanut allergies, not causation. Still, it’s promising, as 80% of people who develop a peanut allergy never outgrow it.