Peanut Allergy: Common but Potentially Severe

The most common type of food allergy, especially in children, is a peanut allergy. Even though it is fairly normal, the severity of the allergy can vary drastically from person to person. For people with severe peanut allergies, even the slightest bit of contamination can cause a reaction, so special care must be taken to ensure exposure is avoided, especially when eating out.

The most common symptoms of a peanut allergy are:

Peanut allergies are the number one cause of anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

If you or your child shows a reaction to peanuts, it is important to go get tested for a peanut allergy as soon as possible. Peanut allergies are one of the few allergies that can begin mild and become increasingly severe with age. Avoidance of peanuts, or any foods that have come into contact with peanuts, is the only way to avoid a possibly life-threatening reaction.