Composition and method for reducing allergic response

Abstract

A method for the early introduction to an infant between the ages of two to four months of at least three allergens to decrease the infant's risk for developing allergies. The method includes the steps of administering to the infant a first allergen selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond, walnuts, pecans, hazelnut, wheat, soy, sesame for multiple days. Next the infant in administered, in addition to the first allergen, a second allergen different from the first allergen selected from the same group of allergens, and third, subsequently administering to the infant, in addition to the first allergen and the second allergen, a third allergen different from the first allergen and the second allergen, a third allergen being selected from the same group of allergens for multiple days.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the introduction of at least three allergens to an infant between the age of two to four months to decrease the infant's risk for developing allergies, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) administering to the infant a first allergen selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond, walnuts, pecans, hazelnut, wheat, soy, sesame for multiple days;   (b) subsequently administering to the infant, in addition to the first allergen, a second allergen different from the first allergen selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond, walnuts, pecans, hazelnut, wheat, soy, sesame for multiple days; and   (c) subsequently administering to the infant, in addition to the first allergen and the second allergen, a third allergen different from the first allergen and the second allergen, a third selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond, walnuts, pecans, hazelnut, wheat, soy, and sesame for multiple days.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first allergen, the second allergen, and the third allergen are contained in premeasured doses and are continued for several months until the infant is regularly consuming foods containing the first, second, and third allergens as part of the infant's diet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the steps of:
 (d) administering the first, second, and third allergens along with at least a fourth allergen different from the first allergen, the second allergen, and the third allergen, and selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond, walnuts, pecans, hazelnut, wheat, soy, and sesame, for multiple days.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the allergens are mixed into the infant's breast milk, formula, or food and administered enterally. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the allergens consist of particles having a particle size of less than 200 microns. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dose of each allergen is between 0.05 and 1 grams. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first allergen comprises cow's milk and at a dose of about 0.4 grams of cow's milk protein, wherein the second allergen comprises hen's egg and at a dose of about 0.1 grams of the egg protein, wherein the third allergen comprises peanut and at a dose of about 0.4 grams of the peanut protein. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein allergens are provided in a form of a) pre-dosed daily packets, packages, or pouches, b) measured powder supplements, c) gels, d) infant formula or e) other foods. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein doses of the allergens are in the form of sequentially numbered packages so that users are guided when to administer each respective package. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the allergens are in a pre-formulated food comprises one of infant formula, infant food in jars, pouches, snack bars, food puffs, cookies, and a gel.