According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) one in five Australians are affected by allergies and anaphylaxis – an extreme reaction to an allergen that impacts breathing and circulation.

With 20 percent of the population living with potentially life-threatening allergies, it’s welcome news that a US-developed drug, omalizumab (Xolair) could allow people with food allergies to tolerate a higher dose of allergenic foods before developing a reaction.

The drug, which has been used to treat asthma for more than two decades, has received the tick of approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand its use for those suffering with food allergies.

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A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine pushed the decision over the line, making omalizumab the first drug approved to treat allergies to multiple foods.

In Australia, the drug is commonly prescribed as an add-on treatment to children and adults suffering from chronic rhinitis, hives, and allergic asthma when conventional antihistamines and steroids are insufficient.

The research, conducted by Robert A. Wood, M.D et al. found that 67 percent of people using omalizumab could consume the equivalent of 2.5 peanuts without a moderate or severe allergic reaction.

This could be an absolute game changer for people with severe food allergies who run the risk of accidental exposure to common food allergens like nuts, dairy, shellfish, and eggs.

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It’s important to note that omalizumab does not cure food allergies, but it could be a very useful tool in their treatment.

Until now, most people would be familiar with the use of an EpiPen – a device that administers a dose of synthetic adrenaline – to treat anaphylactic reactions. However, in very rare cases, patients can be allergic to the solution, leaving them between a rock and a hard place in an emergency.

While the use of omalizumab for treating food allergies is still in the research stage in Australia – a promising study underway at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney means things could be about to get far safer for allergy sufferers.

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