Peanuts are the leading cause of fatal and near-fatal food reactions in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Food allergies usually develop in young children and can get worse over time. A 2000 study supported by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, or AAAAI, found that 52 percent of children with a peanut allergy had a subsequent, life-threatening reaction, even if they had a mild or moderate reaction before. Even if you have only experienced mild symptoms, take extra care to avoid peanuts because it's difficult to predict the severity of your next reaction.
Causes and Symptoms
An allergy to peanuts causes your body to overreact to a protein found in peanuts. In response, your immune system produces immunoglobulin E, an antibody and histamine. This causes symptoms such as hives, itching or tingling around your mouth and throat, shortness of breath, and a runny or stuffy nose. You might also experience diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, anaphylaxis occurs in around 20 percent of reactions to peanuts and tree nuts. This is a life-threatening reaction that results in constriction of the airways; swelling of the throat, which makes it difficult to breathe; a severe drop in blood pressure; and a weak, rapid pulse. Seek emergency medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms.
Severity
It's difficult to determine how serious your next reaction will be; it may depend on your sensitivity to peanuts and the amount consumed. A Cambridge University study, published in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" in 2008, followed 114 children who had been diagnosed with a peanut allergy. It found that 64 percent of subsequent reactions were the same severity, 26 percent were milder, and 10 percent were more severe. Other studies suggest that the percentage with more severe reactions might be higher. Researchers supported by the AAAAI found that the majority -- 52 percent -- of subsequent reactions were life-threatening, regardless of the severity of previous reactions, according to a paper published in the "Journal of Pediatrics" in 2000.
Outgrowing Allergies
While some peanut allergies get worse, the AAAAI reports that approximately 20 percent of children outgrow them by the age of 6. Roughly 80 percent will have them for their entire lives, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, it's impossible to tell whether your child will outgrow an allergy. If he or she has not had a reaction for a significant period of time and meets strict criteria, allergists might recommend an "oral challenge test" during which peanut products are introduced. This takes place in a carefully controlled environment. For example, an allergist or nurse may increase the dose of peanuts every 15 minutes, watching carefully for an adverse reaction. Generally, if your child develops no symptoms two hours after the final dose, he can safely eat peanuts.
Treatment and Prevention
Learn to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis, even if you've only had mild reactions. If you or your child are at risk, your doctor might recommend carrying an epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen, which can reverse the symptoms. Use the injector at the first sign of a serious reaction, then go directly to the emergency room. Make sure your family and friends know how to use it. Of course, the best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid peanuts and other nuts, because of the risks of cross-reactivity. Check food labels carefully and tell restaurant staff about your allergy. Be aware that many foods may contain traces of peanuts or peanut oil. Remember that you can have a reaction simply by being exposed to peanuts or touching someone who's eaten them. For this reason, many school cafeterias have banned peanuts completely.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Peanut Allergies: Not to Be Taken Lightly; May 2009
- "The Journal of Pediatrics": The natural history of peanut allergy in young children and its association with serum peanut-specific IgE; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Peanut Allergy Symptoms; August 2011
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Allergy Statistics; 2011
- "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology": The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Volume 122, Issue 2 , Pages 286-289, August 2008 Good prognosis, clinical features, and circumstances of peanut and tree nut reactions in children treated by a specialist allergy center; May 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Peanut Allergy Treatment And Drugs; August 2011
