Peanut Allergies
Peanut allergies account for the majority of severe food-related allergic reactions and most commonly occur in children. In most children peanut allergies tend to develop early in life, usually between 14 and 24 months of age.The first reaction tends to occur in the home. Every person’s peanut allergy is different and some more severe than others. Some people who suffer from peanut allergies may be so sensitive that a tiny amount (as little as 1/70,000 of a peanut) is enough to trigger a severe and life threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Although 20% of children diagnosed with a peanut allergy can outgrow it, the majority of people affected remain allergic.
A growing concern is how peanut ingredients are finding their way into other food products, either directly or by indirect cross contamination of food. This can occur during the manufacturing process when more than one product is made on the same processing/packaging line or when equipment used to manufacture one product containing peanuts is used to make other foods.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for peanut allergies. Complete avoidance of the specific allergen is currently the only available option. This doesn’t mean is that you cannot go out and enjoy a nice meal; you just have to be extra cautious with your food choices. In Canada, more than 1,800 restaurants, including 9 chains, participate in Allergy Aware, a new program to help prevent severe allergic attacks. These restaurants provide information about common food allergens in menu items, and can be identified by a posted Allergy Aware symbol.
Did you know...
- Approximately one out of every 150 school aged children has a either a peanut or tree nut allergy.
- A common misconception is that peanut allergies include allergies to all nuts; people allergic to peanuts are not necessarily allergic to tree nuts, and vice versa.
