For parents of children with peanut allergies, mealtime can bring constant worry. Even a trace of peanut residue on a playground snack or party treat can trigger a dangerous reaction. But a new study offers promising evidence that a small skin patch may one day help change that story.
Researchers presented new findings from the Epopex study at the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). The results show that toddlers who used a peanut patch for three years were able to safely build and maintain tolerance to peanut exposure, all without serious side effects.
The treatment, known as the Viaskin Peanut Patch, delivers tiny, carefully controlled amounts of peanut protein through the skin. The idea is to retrain the immune system over time, teaching it to tolerate peanut exposure rather than overreact.
In the latest analysis, more than 70% of children who used the patch could tolerate the equivalent of about three to four peanuts after three years of treatment. Nearly half could handle even higher doses. That’s a significant improvement from earlier results after just one year of treatment, when fewer than two-thirds reached that level of tolerance.
Importantly, safety remained strong. No cases of treatment-related anaphylaxis, the severe reaction that can make peanut allergy so dangerous, were reported in the third year. The most common side effect, mild skin irritation where the patch was applied, became less frequent over time. Researchers also found that when children did react during food challenges, their symptoms were typically milder than before treatment began.
“These results show that ongoing treatment with the peanut patch continues to improve tolerance and remains safe over time,” said allergist Dr. Matthew Greenhawt, lead author of the study and ACAAI member. “For parents of toddlers with peanut allergies, this kind of approach may one day offer peace of mind by reducing the risk of having an allergic reaction, including severe reactions, from accidental exposure.”
Peanut allergy affects about 2% of children in the United States and remains one of the most common causes of life-threatening allergic reactions. The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that early, carefully monitored interventions can help modify how the immune system responds to food allergens. While the patch is still being studied and is not yet widely available, experts say the results signal meaningful progress toward long-term protection.
Doctors caution that families should never attempt any form of peanut desensitization at home. Instead, parents of children with peanut allergies can talk with a board-certified allergist about emerging treatment options and ongoing clinical trials.
This research was funded by DBV Technologies, the company developing the Viaskin Peanut Patch.