A peanut allergy is a common type of food allergy in both children and adults. A peanut allergy, like any allergy, is when your immune system identifies the proteins in peanuts as harmful. When you come into contact with these proteins, your immune system reacts and releases histamines, which then cause your peanut allergic reaction.
Peanut allergic reactions are generally the most common culprit of fatal food–induced anaphylaxis, with the highest-risk groups being adolescents with asthma.1,2 In fact, studies show that people allergic to peanuts have a higher risk of anaphylaxis compared with people who are allergic to other foods, like milk or egg.3
An allergy to peanuts usually lasts a lifetime—only about 20 percent of people with this allergy outgrow it.4 Some people, who eventually outgrow their peanut allergy, had previously had severe reactions to peanuts. So the severity of your reaction doesn’t mean you won’t outgrow the allergy.
Peanuts are the number one cause of death related to food-induced anaphylaxis.5 Symptoms of anaphylaxis include impaired breathing, swelling in the throat, a sudden drop in blood pressure, pale skin or blue lips, dizziness and fainting.
Less severe symptoms of a peanut allergy are similar to most allergy symptoms and include:
Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention.
Although incredibly serious; anaphylaxis is thankfully very rare.
Ask Questions. Get Answers.
"Do I have a peanut allergy?" isn't a simple "yes" or "no" question. Peanut allergy reactions can vary from localized reactions, such as itching and tingling of the mouth and lips, to systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis, to potentially no clinical reaction at all.12 These reactions depend on which peanut protein is behind the reaction.
Peanuts comprise different proteins; a person with a peanut allergy could be reacting to one or more of these proteins. Knowing which protein is causing the reaction is important because different proteins can cause different allergic reactions.
Specific IgE blood testing for peanut components helps your healthcare provider identify the specific proteins that may cause your reactions. So instead of knowing that you're allergic to peanuts in general, you can know exactly which protein may trigger the reaction. Testing with allergen components can also help your healthcare provider determine whether an oral food challenge (OFC) test is recommended. An OFC test can be used to help confirm your peanut allergy or determine whether you have outgrown it.
Meaning, you can get detailed answers to your peanut allergy questions. Because it’s not just knowledge you’ll gain, but peace of mind, too.
If you have a confirmed peanut allergy diagnosis, you should avoid peanut in all forms including anything containing traces of peanut in it. Obvious sources include roasted, dry roasted, salted or plain peanuts and peanut butter. But peanuts can be a hidden ingredient in many foods—this is why it’s important to read the label or ask before buying or eating foods. Ingredients in packaged foods can change at any time—and without warning.
More than 10 percent of patients with peanut or tree nut allergy report experiencing reactions in restaurants or other food establishments.6 Because of their common use of peanuts, Asian restaurants, ice cream parlors and bakeries are considered high-risk for people with a peanut allergy. Even if you order a peanut-free item, there is the possibility of cross-contamination.
Peanuts can be found in many foods and drinks, including:
Baked goods like pastries and cookies
Candy including chocolates
Chili
Marzipan
Nouget
Sweets like pudding and hot chocolate
African, Asian and Mexican dishes
Glazes and marinades
Sauces such as chili sauce, hot sauce, pesto, gravy, mole sauce, enchilada sauce and salad dressing
Some vegetarian foods, especially meat substitutes
Foods that contain extruded, cold-pressed or expelled peanut oil
Even though peanuts have the word “nuts” in their name, they are legumes, not nuts. Allergy to more than one nut is common. 1 out of 2 nut allergic teenagers react to more than one nut. 1 out of 3 peanut allergic patients also report tree nut allergy. And more than half of tree nut allergic patients report an allergy to peanuts.7-11
People with a peanut allergy also commonly avoid tree nuts because of the likelihood of cross-contact or cross-contamination—when one food comes into contact with another food and their proteins mix—during the manufacturing process.8-11
What can your My Symptom Profile tell you about allergies? Nothing, by itself. So resist the temptation to self-diagnose. Treating allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications or other remedies without determining the cause could lead to more issues in the long run. When paired with testing, such as specific IgE blood testing for food or respiratory allergies, your My Symptom Profile can guide your healthcare provider in creating a customized trigger-management plan to help reduce exposure to suspected allergens.
Finished!
Download a PDF of your results to help guide your conversation and maximize your time with your healthcare provider.
What to know about specific IgE blood testing
What to know about specific IgE blood testing
What to know about specific IgE blood testing
What to know about specific IgE blood testing
People who have high levels of peanut antibodies in their blood are most likely to have a peanut allergy for life.13-16 A simple blood test that measures these antibodies and can help your healthcare professional determine whether or not you or your child are likely to outgrow a peanut allergy. Knowing the true cause of your symptoms now may also help you avoid more serious issues in the future.16 For example, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the ER every 3 minutes.17
Knowing if you’re allergic and what you’re allergic to can help can help you get relief. Be sure to consult with your healthcare professional.