Peanut Allergies - The World’s Deadliest Food.

Did you know that peanut allergies are responsible for more deaths for sufferers of food allergies than any other substance? Did you know that between 100 – 150 people die each year in the United States as a result of eating peanuts? Are you, or your child, one of the 3 million people in the United States who is allergic to peanuts? Do you know someone with a peanut allergy?

1% of the population has a peanut allergy. This serious food allergy accounts for 80% of all fatal, or near fatal, allergic reactions annually. A serious peanut allergy can prove to be fatal within minutes of consuming the offending nut.

What is a Peanut Allergy?

Peanut allergies involve a malfunction in the body’s immune system. Once the peanut is ingested the body recognizes it as an enemy, or allergen. The body then produces antibodies called IgE (immunoglobulin E), which fight the allergens. The body sends out histamines to fight the perceived enemy. The histamines are the chemicals that result in the allergic type symptoms. In this instance, the body is reacting to a protein found in peanuts. Reaction times can vary from immediate, to a few minutes, to several hours. Generally, the more severe the reaction, the faster the onset of the symptoms. 80% of peanut allergies will involve difficulties with breathing and reactions involving multiple organs of the body.

Signs and Symptoms of a Peanut Allergy

Any or all of the following can be experienced in an allergic reaction involving peanuts. Reaction times can vary significantly from immediately to several hours.

	Sense of fear or apprehension.
	Swelling or tingling of lips or tongue.
	Chills.
	Tight throat.
	Cough or wheeze.
	Itching, redness or hives.
	Nausea and/ or vomiting.
	Stomach pain.
	Diarrhea.
	Blue tinge to skin, especially around the lips or nails.
	Racing heartbeat.
	Rapid or weak pulse.
	Fall in blood pressure.
	Dizziness or light-headedness.
	Loss of consciousness (fainting).

Children and Peanut Allergies

The number of children suffering from peanut allergies has doubled in the past 5 years. Boys are more susceptible to this allergy than girls. Although 1% of the total population has an allergy to peanuts, 3% of pre- schoolers are allergic. A sibling of a peanut allergy sufferer has a 7% chance of being allergic themselves. 

Children who are more at risk of peanut allergies appear to have family histories of other food allergies, and family histories of asthma, hay fever, and eczema. The reason for the astonishing increase in childhood peanut allergies in developed countries is not known. The most common theories involve improved hygiene altering our immune systems, the reduction in infectious diseases altering the immune system, and pregnant and breast feeding women eating peanuts and passing the peanut protein on to their child.

Some experts estimate that 20-25 % of children will outgrow their allergy. However, this will never happen if your child has experienced a serious life threatening reaction. Children who additionally suffer from asthma, eczema and other food allergies also do not outgrow their allergies. You should never reintroduce your child to peanuts without consulting a medical practitioner first, and having a peanut specific allergy blood test performed. Please bear in mind, that often each reaction will be more severe than the last.

Children who suffer from peanut allergies need to have their child care providers and schools notified in writing. Anyone else who cares for the child, including parent’s of friends and sports coaches, needs to be informed of the allergy and how to deal with it if one occurs.  Medical alerts are advised for the seriously allergic.

The child needs to be educated about the seriousness of the allergy. Your child has to understand the importance of not sharing other’s foods. As the child becomes older, they will be able to read the labelling on processed foods. The real threat is the home baked product that another child brings to school and encourages them to taste.

More and more schools are becoming peanut free zones. Some schools have peanut free tables in their cafeterias. If your child needs to carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) pen, then they should do so at all times. Currently, there is a lot of research and study being performed world wide involving vaccines that are looking promising for the future.

If you require more information on potentially fatal peanut allergies please visit these recommended sites.