A major international study involving Irish scientists has found that a new skin patch treatment for peanut allergy may help some children to develop more tolerance to peanuts.

The study was carried out in 31 centres worldwide, including Cork University Hospital and the National Clinical Research Centre (NCRC) based at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin.

According to Dr Aideen Byrne of the NCRC, who carried out the Dublin part of the study, peanut allergy is ‘the most common persistent food allergy' and it can have a major impact on affected children and their families. As a result, ‘treatment options are needed'.

The study involved children aged between four and 11 years having a specially designed patch applied to their skin every day for a year. The patch either contained peanut or a placebo.

The researchers found that while some of the children did not respond to the patch, some were able to tolerate more peanut than before the study started.

"The benefit of this skin patch (epicutaneous) treatment is that it is safe and well tolerated. It is anticipated that it will play an important role in the treatment of peanut allergy in the future.

"Further studies are being carried out that will give us more information on the benefits of the patch. However at this time, the product is not licensed for use outside of a research setting," Dr Byrne explained.

The Irish leg of the research was funded by CMRF Crumlin. Members of the public can support research trials funded by CMRF Crumlin by donating here