An experimental skin patch is showing promise to treat toddlers who are highly allergic to peanuts, as it will train their bodies to handle an accidental bite.

The patch, named Viaskin, has been tested with young children from ages one to three, and it helped those who couldn’t tolerate even a small fraction of a peanut to eventually safely eat a few.

Professor Mimi Tang from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute told Deborah Knight this is a “very positive development” for the field.

“The immune system is much more open to rewiring in the earlier years, which is why this age group has been targeted,” said Professor Tang.

Hear more from Deborah Knight below: