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Peanut Allergy

Peanut Allergy Treatment: What Parents Should Know

Peanut allergy is one of the most common — and most researched — food allergies in Canadian kids. Here's a grounded look at where treatment stands today.

Two Established Approaches

One allergy, two different paths to treatment.

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) both aim for the same thing — building tolerance under an allergist's care — but they get there differently. Which one fits depends on your child, your allergist, and what's available near you.

Why peanut gets so much attention

Food Allergy Canada estimates peanut allergy affects roughly 2 in 100 Canadian children, making it one of the most common food allergies in kids — and one of the most frequent reasons families end up carrying an epinephrine auto-injector every day. That combination of how common it is and how seriously it's often taken is a big part of why peanut allergy has drawn more clinical research and treatment development than most other food allergies.

That research focus is good news for families: peanut allergy is the allergen most treatment protocols and clinical trials have been built around, so allergists generally have more data — and more experience — to draw on when it's peanut specifically.

Peanut allergy is also less likely to be outgrown than allergies like milk or egg — Food Allergy Canada notes that only a minority of children grow out of it. That's part of why so many families end up asking their allergist whether an active treatment approach makes sense, rather than continuing avoidance alone indefinitely.

A parent and child cooking together in the kitchen
Current Approaches

How peanut allergy is being treated today

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)

Small, food-based doses of peanut protein are given daily and increased step by step under allergist supervision until a maintenance dose is reached — then continued, often indefinitely, to help sustain the effect. In the United States, a specific peanut OIT drug product has held FDA approval; Canada does not currently have an equivalent Health Canada–approved product, so Canadian allergists who offer peanut OIT do so as an individualized clinical protocol.

Learn about OIT

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)

A smaller, liquid dose of peanut allergen is held under the tongue rather than swallowed. Because only a limited volume can be held sublingually, doses tend to be smaller than with OIT — some research suggests this may come with a gentler side-effect profile, though it is not as widely available.

Learn about SLIT

Safety considerations to weigh with your allergist

Peanut OIT is not risk-free, and it's important to go in with clear eyes. Research on peanut OIT shows that children undergoing treatment are more likely to experience an allergic reaction during the process than children managing their allergy through avoidance alone. Most reactions during treatment are mild to moderate, but more serious reactions requiring epinephrine can happen, which is exactly why OIT is only done under medical supervision, with a clear emergency plan in place.

  • Reactions are more likely during active treatment than during avoidance-only management
  • Most reactions are mild, but the possibility of a serious one is real — supervision matters
  • Maintenance dosing is typically ongoing; stopping treatment may reduce the protective effect over time
  • Factors like existing asthma, prior severe reactions, or higher sensitization levels can affect risk — your allergist will factor these in

Have Questions About Peanut Allergy Treatment?

Our free information sessions cover how these treatments actually work and what to ask your allergist — no obligation, no sales pitch.

Reserve Your Spot

Want the bigger picture first? Start with our treatment options overview, or browse common questions on our FAQ.

Treatment decisions should always be discussed with qualified healthcare professionals, such as your child's doctor or allergist. This page is educational information, not medical advice.

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