If your child has an allergy to peanuts, she is not alone---approximately 4 to 8 percent of children have some type of food allergy, the International Food Information Council Foundation reports. Children who are allergic to peanuts have an abnormal immune response to this typically harmless food. The symptoms of peanut allergies in children may require medical attention depending on the severity of your child's reaction.
Hives
If your child has a peanut allergy, she could develop hives (red, itchy welts on her skin) after ingesting or handling a peanut-containing food item. Additional skin reactions can include swelling or itching of the face, lips or throat. Your child's face may also appear flushed, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns.
Difficulty Breathing
After ingesting a peanut, your child can develop difficulty breathing if she has a peanut allergy. You could notice that she begins to cough or has difficulty speaking or swallowing. She could experience shortness of breath or may begin to wheeze. If your child has asthma in addition to a peanut allergy, eating a peanut could induce an asthma attack.
Runny Nose
A child with a peanut allergy can develop a runny or stuffy nose after eating a peanut-containing product. You may observe that he needs to blow his nose frequently or sniffs repeatedly. He could scratch at his itchy nose, which may cause his nose to appear red, irritated or inflamed.
Watery Eyes
A peanut allergy can cause eye irritation if your child eats a peanut. Symptoms of eye irritation include itchy or watery eyes that may appear red or bloodshot.
Weakness
Your child could complain that she feels dizzy or tired as a result of a peanut allergy. She may appear abnormally anxious, distressed or weak, and her face may look pale or sickly.
Stomach Upset
Stomach upset is a common symptom of a peanut allergy in most children. Your child may complain that his stomach feels sick and he may experience vomiting or diarrhea. Stomach cramps or abdominal bloating can also occur in some children as a result of a peanut allergy.
Anaphylaxis
A severe allergic reaction to peanuts---a condition called anaphylaxis---can cause life-threatening symptoms to develop in your child. She may experience a rapid heartbeat or severe difficulty breathing and may lose consciousness. If any of these symptoms develop, seek emergency medical care immediately.
