Peanut butter is a staple of many children's diets through the ever-popular peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Unfortunately, a peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies found in children, according to KidsHealth, and it is on the rise. The Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society of Ontario states that peanuts can be found in many other food products listed as "groundnuts" or "hydrolyzed vegetable protein." A peanut allergy can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction called "anaphylaxis," so allergy testing should be performed by a physician when a food allergy is suspected.
Step 1
Make an appointment with your doctor. Depending on the insurance company's policy, it may be necessary to be evaluated by a primary-care physician first, who will then recommend an allergist.
Step 2
Keep a notebook journal. Before the appointment, the Mayo Clinic recommends keeping a food diary, recording all the foods eaten daily. Record any symptoms of the allergy that you have been experiencing. Document any life-changing events or areas of stress in the journal as well.
Step 3
Make a list of all medications and supplements that you are taking. Bring the list to the doctor's appointment for evaluation by the physician.
Step 4
Ask about an elimination test. The physician may recommend this kind of test initially. An elimination test consists of eliminating all peanut products from the diet for one to two weeks, and then slowly adding them back to the diet as instructed by the physician.
Step 5
Discuss having a skin-prick test done if the elimination test appears to be positive. According to MedlinePlus, a minute amount of suspected allergen is introduced into the skin of the arm or back, and if positive, an area of redness and swelling will form at the site.
Step 6
Have a blood test done to measure the immune system's reaction to certain foods. According to the Mayo Clinic, a blood test measures the amount of specific allergen antibodies, IgE or immunoglobulin E, present. A high amount may indicate an allergy.
Step 7
Discuss having a food challenge test called "provocation" done. This test exposes a person to the allergen through eating or breathing in the allergen in question and waiting to see if signs of a reaction occur.
Step 8
Know the signs of a severe allergic reaction. They include an itchy skin rash with hives, difficulty swallowing and breathing, along with swelling of the face and mouth. Ask a physician about the need for carrying an EpiPen to counteract severe peanut butter allergies.
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