Even though some peanut allergies can be complicated, frightening and sometimes even life-threatening, schools and airlines do not have to get rid of peanuts and foods containing peanuts completely, says Sami Bahn, MD, ACAAI (American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) president at ACAAI’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. The person with an allergy, along with their allergist can devise a plan of action to either manage attacks or prevent them.

Dr. Bahna said:

    “Highly allergic people may react after ingesting minute hidden quantities of peanuts or even after touching or smelling peanuts. These patients often live in fear they will come in contact with peanuts,. There are ways to make life livable and less frightening, but there is no guarantee that specific allergens can be removed entirely from an environment.”

Food allergies and their sources may be hidden, and susceptible individuals may accidentally consume them, especially when outside the household. Peanut allergens have the potential to be present in packaged products, kitchen staff may inadvertently share oils or utensils, even vapors from tableside cooking can be inhaled, Dr. Brahna explained.

Even though the incidence of peanut allergies is growing, a tiny proportion of individuals have a severe allergy to the touch or smell of peanuts; about 1% says Dr. Bahna. An allergic reaction may include stomach pains, hives, wheezing, throat obstruction, swelling of the face, and anaphylaxis (life-threatening).

People with severe peanut allergies have to:

  • Avoid peanuts avidly, this includes anything that may be tainted with peanuts
  • Prepare all their own meals
  • Before any potential exposure to peanuts, take antihistamines
  • Wear a medical alert ID
  • Have with them emergency medications, such as self-injectable epinephrine, albuterol inhaler and a fast-acting chewable or liquid antihistamine.

Parents and guardians of children with acute peanut allergy need to make the child’s packed lunch, and make sure the people in the school or daycare they go to:

  • Have an action plan for allergic reactions
  • Carefully monitor children with severe allergies during eating times
  • Know how to administer epinephrine
  • Are ready to call 911 in an emergency
  • Keep potentially contaminated areas well cleaned

Dr. Bahna said:

    “Unfortunately, life is not risk-free. A minority of people are severely allergic to peanuts, but it is not reasonable or possible to expect schools or airlines to be peanut-free. Consideration should be also given to the freedom of the vast majority of non-allergic persons. Also, peanut is not the only food that can cause severe allergy.

Parents of children with severe peanut allergies should make sure airlines carry emergency treatment and have staff who have been trained in food allergies.

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Written by Christian Nordqvist