Researchers at National Jewish Health are exploring an exciting new medication aimed at treating food allergies. They’re also working on a method to predict the severity of allergic reactions, particularly anaphylaxis.
Dr. Jessica Hui, an allergy and immunology expert at the center, explained that the study involves participants taking a medication called omalizumab for four months. “It’s surprising how much more of their food allergen they’re able to eat by the end,” she noted.
Throughout the study, researchers collect skin cells using tape. This innovative approach may help identify who is at a higher risk for severe reactions. Currently, doctors perform a food challenge, which involves giving patients small amounts of potential allergens to monitor reactions. While this “gold standard” test is effective, it can also be invasive and risky.
The new tape method could allow for safer testing. “We can analyze different aspects of the skin barrier from those tapes,” Dr. Hui added.
Families like that of two-year-old Ozzie, who has allergies to milk, peanuts, sesame, and mustard, find daily life challenging. His mom, Stephanie Herm, shared, “It’s an uneasy lifestyle, for sure.” However, after participating in the study, they noticed positive changes. Ozzie could handle small amounts of allergens without an immediate reaction, easing some worries about sending him to school.
“Now, if a child in his class hands him their cow’s milk cup, he’s not going to die,” Stephanie expressed, highlighting how this progress can ease parental fears.
This research could pave the way for safer, non-invasive allergy testing in the future. As of now, they are still enrolling participants. For those interested, you can find out more about the study here.
The community remains engaged, with efforts to support this research through events like Rev the Runway, a fashion show fundraiser, scheduled for November 5, 2025. Information about this event can be found here.
In a world where allergies are on the rise—affecting 1 in 13 children—advancements like these are crucial and highlight the ongoing need for research and community support.
