PEANUT ALLERGY

What are peanut allergies?

Peanut allergies are allergies to the chemicals in peanuts. It is distinct from other nut allergies, because peanuts are actually a type of fruit, and the edible “nut” inside is actually a seed. Peanuts are also known as groundnuts or monkeynuts.

It is estimated that 1.8 % of children of age 5 suffer from a peanut allergy. It is uncertain whether children can outgrow a peanut allergy (children can outgrow other types of allergy, like milk protein allergies), with some research suggesting that they can and others suggesting that they can't. Adults who develop an allergy cannot outgrow it. People who suffer from peanut and other food allergies may be atopic (they have a genetic tendency to develop allergies) and may have other allergies too.

A peanut allergy is the most common food-related cause of death, but is still relatively rare. In America, only one child per 830,000 children with food allergies died.

Peanut Allergies Guide Index:



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