Faced with an ever-increasing range of allergies affecting growing numbers of people all over the world, French company DBV-Technologies (www.dbv-technologies.com/en  ) has been working on a solution that it hopes can be applied to a wide range of different allergies.

Source: http://www.dbv-technologies.com

Called the Viaskin patch, this simple looking product has been produced in several variants, including a milk allergy treatment, a peanut allergy treatment and an egg allergy solution. Although small (as you can see below), the Viaskin patch looks like it will pack quite a punch. Protein compounds are sprayed onto the patch, which is then applied to a patient’s arm. Body heat creates a kind of condensation chamber which solubilizes the dry compounds (antigens). In this form, they can enter the skin in a non-invasive way, without going directly into the bloodstream (thus minimizing the likelihood of anaphylactic shock). This painless method of application makes the patch especially suitable for use on babies and young children. Other possible variants that are currently being considered include tree nut and shellfish patches – just watch this space!