The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

ASCIA EDUCATION RESOURCES (AER) TOPIC OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2002

Peanut allergy causes more problems than other food allergies because it is common (1 in 200 infants), exposure is hard to avoid and even trace amounts can trigger symptoms.

Whilst most allergic reactions to peanut are mild, some people who are allergic to peanuts develop more serious symptoms which can be triggered by even a trace amount of food. When symptoms such as difficulty breathing, asthma, throat swelling, or a drop in blood pressure occur, it is known as anaphylaxis, and allergy to peanuts is one of the most common triggers.

Peanuts are widely used in processed Western and in Oriental cooking. This poses significant problems for people with severe peanut allergy, as the only proven treatment for peanut allergy is avoidance.

Diagnosis of peanut allergy is therefore important. Doctors will normally ask a series of questions and Skin Prick tests or blood (RAST) allergy tests may be used to help confirm allergy to peanuts. If peanut allergy is confirmed, an Action Plan should be devised to help you deal with emergency situations.

Despite the name, peanuts are actually legumes, from the same family as soy, lentils and peas. Some peanut allergic people can therefore be allergic to these other foods, although most peanut allergic people can eat these other foods with safety.
Even though there is little similarity between peanut allergens and those present in tree nuts (like walnut, almond, pecan, pistachio or cashew), there can be cross contamination in "mixed nuts" and an increased risk of other food allergies in peanut allergic people. Therefore it is usually recommended that peanut allergic people avoid all nuts.

The good news is that in concert with a trained allergist and a network of supportive contacts, people with allergy to peanuts can learn to live with their condition. The knowledge that Epipen (an automatic device for administering adrenalin) is available and is life-saving offers reassurance.

Further information

• http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/133/145/ - the website of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) includes more than fifty information bulletins on allergy, asthma and immune disease topics.
• http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/ - the website of the Food Anaphylaxis Children Training and Support Association (FACTS)) offers valuable updates and tips for dealing positively with food allergies.

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