Peanuts are also known as groundnuts, monkey nuts and earth nuts. Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies (not food intolerances) and reactions to the allergy can range from mild to life threatening. Peanuts contain many allergens (allergy causing substances) which are not destroyed by cooking, and in some cases are intensified by cooking.
At the moment in the UK, the exact prevalence of peanut allergy is unknown, however research suggest around 1 in 200 people in the UK suffer from the allergy, with people being more susceptible to a peanut allergy if they are already atopic (suffer from other allergies). Some studies show, that children can grow out of their peanut allergies by the age of 5 and a child should be retested to see if this is the case.
People with peanut allergy can react to minute amounts in their food, for example food produced on a factory line that once had peanuts pass over it, could still contaminate the new food from the traces of peanuts left on the factory line. This could cause an allergic reaction. However, since 2005, food sold in the UK must state on the packaging of the product could contain peanuts.
Peanuts are a legume, which is the same family of foods as peas, beans, lentils and others. Some people who are highly sensitised to peanuts are sometimes advised to avoid these foods as well as they contain similar allergens. Also, even though most other nuts such as walnuts, cashew nuts, almonds etc are not from the legume family, some highly sensitised people are advised to avoid these as well.
Symptoms
Mild symptoms include:
- Tingling of the mouth and lips
- Facial swelling
- Nausea
- Stomach pain and discomfort
- Tightness in the throat
Severe anaphylactic reactions include
- Swelling of the airways and breathing obstruction
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- Collapse and unconsciousness
*Anaphylactic reactions require urgent medical attention.
The only safe way to managing peanut allergy and anaphylaxis is to completely avoid peanuts, both as whole nuts and peanuts hidden in foods or foods contaminated with peanuts.
Avoidance of peanuts might seem a simple concept, but nuts are included in many ingredients so it is essential for sufferers or carers of sufferers to read food product labels very carefully. Peanuts can be listed in ingredients under other names including:
- Ground nuts
- Earth nuts
- Monkey nuts
- Mixed nuts
- Peanut butter
- Peanut oil
- Arachis oil
- Ground nut oil
Extra care in preparation and storage of food is necessary to make sure no cross contamination occurs. It is also important to careful when eating out and to avoid buying loose or unwrapped food, as staff are often unaware if the food contains nuts or not and as cross contamination can occur here as well. It's sometimes a good idea to call ahead at restaurants when going to eat out to make sure they'll be able to accommodate your needs before you arrive and when you arrive let the waiter or waitress know that you rang ahead to let them know.
