In the United States, approximately 3 million children under age 3 have some type of food-related allergy, according to health officials with The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. An allergy to peanuts occurs when a baby's immune system incorrectly identifies a peanut as a threat to the health of his body. Babies who develop peanut allergy symptoms after exposure to peanut-containing food products require further evaluation and care from a medical professional.
Hives
A baby with a peanut allergy can develop a skin rash or hives after being exposed to this allergen. A parent or caregiver can notice the appearance of red, swollen welts across an affected infant's body. The skin rash may also appear dry, flaky or scaly, report health officials with the March of Dimes. Babies with skin hives caused by a peanut allergy can begin to scratch at the affected skin due to itching sensations. A baby can develop skin rash symptoms within a few minutes or hours after ingesting a peanut-containing food item. An infant who develops these peanut allergy symptoms should receive additional care from a pediatrician as soon as possible.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
Vomiting or diarrhea can develop as symptoms of a peanut allergy in affected infants, explains BabyCenter, a informational website for current and expectant mothers. Ingesting a food item that contains peanuts can irritate or inflame an allergic baby's digestive tract. When changing an affected baby's diaper, a parent or caregiver can notice that her stools are unusually watery or loose. A baby may also begin to vomit shortly after eating a peanut product. These peanut allergy symptoms typical resolve shortly after allergen exposure but can recur if an allergic infant comes in contact with peanut products again. Persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhea can be signs of alternate medical conditions and should be discussed with a doctor immediately.
Breathing Difficulties
An allergy to peanuts can cause allergic babies to experience breathing difficulties as an allergy symptom, explains KidsHealth, a children's health information website supported by the Nemours Foundation. Ingesting a peanut product can cause irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract, which can cause the throat to swell. Parents or caregivers may notice that an infant begins to wheeze or gasp for air following exposure to a peanut product. These severe peanut allergy symptoms in babies require immediate emergency medical attention.
Anaphylaxis
Certain babies can develop a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis upon initial exposure to a food item that contains peanuts. This type of allergic reaction can cause significant complications, including heart rate changes, breathing difficulties, facial swelling, dizziness or skin rash. In certain instances, allergic infants may lose consciousness during an anaphylactic response to a peanut, warns the March of Dimes. These anaphylaxis symptoms of a peanut allergy in babies require immediate emergency medical care. Without treatment, anaphylaxis can be fatal.
