Peanut allergies have been on the rise, and about 1 percent of the population suffers from this particular food allergy. If you are pregnant, you may be wondering how to protect your baby from developing a peanut allergy, particularly if you have one yourself. The March of Dimes reports that there is no proven way to keep your baby from developing a peanut allergy, but educating yourself about peanut allergy facts can help you make the healthiest decisions for you and your unborn baby.
Peanut Allergy Facts
Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies and can range from mildly irritating to life-threatening. An allergic reaction to peanuts can happen within minutes of consuming them -- and sometimes even being exposed to them. Symptoms can include hives, swelling skin, itching or tingling in the mouth or throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tight chest, wheezing, difficulty breathing, constricted airway, a drop in blood pressure, increased pulse and dizziness. These symptoms occur because your immune system does not recognize peanuts as a safe food, but rather as something that's harmful. Treatment may include antihistamine for a minor allergy or an epinephrine injector pen for a more serious case.
Pregnancy and Peanut Allergy
If you have a diagnosed peanut allergy, you should avoid peanuts and all peanut products while you're pregnant. Having an allergic reaction to peanuts while you're pregnant may place you at risk, and peanut exposure may also affect your unborn baby's health. While it is unlikely that your unborn baby would have an allergic reaction in utero, high peanut exposure has been linked to a possible increase in her risk of developing a peanut allergy after birth. Read food labels diligently, and always ask at restaurants before eating foods that may contain peanuts. If you have a severe peanut allergy, you may also need to avoid being around peanuts and foods that contain peanuts, including other people eating them.
Reducing your Baby's Risk
Some doctors and other health professionals recommend that you avoid peanuts and peanut products while you're pregnant if there is a history of peanut allergy in your family. Research is ongoing as to whether this can truly reduce your baby's risk of developing a peanut allergy. Parents.com notes that the peanut proteins that cause an allergic reaction are secreted in breast milk, which may suggest that they can also cross into the placenta and negatively affect your unborn baby. Speak with your doctor, and if you are worried about your baby developing a peanut allergy, eliminating peanuts and peanut products may help ease those fears.
Foods with Peanuts
Reading ingredient labels and food packaging will help you learn what foods contain peanuts or traces of peanuts. Watch out for foods that contain peanut oil or arachis oil, which is another name for peanut oil. Many Asian and Oriental foods contain peanuts or peanut oil. Learn what candies, chocolates, desserts, cereals, pesto sauces and granola bars contain peanuts by reading their packages. You will also need to avoid peanut butter and foods made with peanut butter.
