What is a peanut allergy?
A peanut allergy occurs when the body reacts to the proteins in peanuts. This allergy is treated separately from other nut allergies. While other nuts grow on trees, peanuts (like beans, peas and lentils) belong to the legume family and grow underground.
How serious is a peanut allergy?
Peanut allergy reactions are different for each child, but they usually happen soon after exposure to peanuts. A peanut allergy carries the risk of anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.
Some children are so sensitive to peanuts that inhaling a small amount of peanut protein (for example, a tiny amount of shelled peanut released in the air by deep frying peanuts) can trigger a reaction. However, a person with a peanut allergy will not develop symptoms when exposed to the smell of peanuts, for example in peanut butter. The smell may trigger a response in a child with a peanut allergy because of their fear of peanuts, but this is not the same as physical allergic symptoms.
Peanut and tree nut allergies
Some children who have peanut allergies also have tree nut allergies. Peanuts are not tree nuts; they are actually legumes (like peas and lentils), but the proteins in peanuts are similar to the ones in tree nuts. This is why some children are allergic to both.
Other names for peanuts
Peanuts can have different names in ingredient lists. Learning these names can help you catch any hidden sources of peanuts in food.
When buying packaged foods, always check the list of ingredients in the store and again when you bring the product home. It is also a good idea to check the ingredients every time you buy the food in case the recipe has changed. You can also call the manufacturer to ask about any recipe changes.
The following table lists provides some names for peanuts. Use it when you are grocery shopping or calling food manufacturers.
| Arachis oil | Beer nuts |
| Cacahouette | Goober nuts, goober peas (boiled peanuts) |
| Ground nuts |
Possible sources of peanuts
Peanuts are used in a range of dishes, packaged food and snacks. Below is a list of some of the many food products that contain peanuts.
| African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese dishes, for example curries, chilies, egg rolls or satays | Artificial nuts (peanuts that have been altered to look and taste like almonds, pecans and walnuts), such as mandelona or Nu-Nuts |
| Baked goods and baking mixes | Cereals and muesli |
| Chocolate and other snack foods | Desserts |
| Fried foods | Hydrolyzed plant protein/vegetable protein (source may be peanut) |
| Nut meats, nut butter | Peanut oil |
| Soup, sauces and gravy |
What do I do if my child has a peanut allergy?
Your child should see an allergist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies) who can discuss the peanut allergy with you in more detail. Children who have a peanut allergy should avoid all products that may contain peanut.
Your child’s doctor will also prescribe a medication called an epinephrine auto-injector, which can be used to treat allergic reactions, in case your child accidentally eats a food containing peanut.
If my child has an allergy to peanuts, must they avoid all other nuts?
People who are allergic to peanuts might not have an allergy to tree nuts. However, a person can be allergic to both. Your child does not need to avoid tree nuts unless your child has had an allergic reaction to tree nuts or they have been advised to do so by their allergist. If your child is eating tree nuts, you should be aware of the risk of cross-contamination (see below).
Reducing the risk of cross-contamination
Cross-contamination occurs when one substance unintentionally comes in contact with another substance, for example a potential allergen. If the substances mix together, one substance taints the other substance, making it unsafe to eat.
Food allergens can contaminate other foods when, for example, the same containers, utensils or frying pans hold a range of foods.
Bulk food containers pose a high risk of cross-contamination because they are often used for different products.
Be sure to avoid using utensils or containers that may have come in contact with allergy-causing foods and ask about possible cross-contamination when eating out.
How can my child get the right mix of nutrients if they must avoid peanuts?
The main nutrients in peanuts include protein, omega-3 fats, fibre, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate and vitamin E. Your child can still get these nutrients even if they must avoid peanuts.
Nutrients in peanuts that are found in other foods
| Nutrient | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Protein | Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk, beans, soy |
| Omega 3 | Salmon, tuna, mackerel, flaxseed oil, walnuts, edamame (soy beans), radish seeds, omega-3 eggs fortified with DHA |
| Fibre | Vegetables, fruit, whole grains |
| Magnesium | Wheat germ, peas, pumpkin, squash or sesame seeds |
| Phosphorus | Wheat germ, rice bran, wheat bran, cheese, beans, sardines, tempeh |
| Potassium | Bananas, papaya, sweet potato, leafy green vegetables, milk, yogurt, beans (navy, pinto, black), lentils, chickpeas, beef, pork, fish |
| Folate | Leafy green vegetables, beans (navy, pinto, kidney, garbanzo), lentils |
| Vitamin E | Spinach, red pepper, Swiss chard, wheat germ cereal, egg, sunflower seeds |
When to see a dietitian for a peanut allergy
If you have removed many foods from your child's diet because of a peanut or tree nut allergy, it may be a good idea to speak to a registered dietitian. The dietitian can review the foods your child still eats to decide if they are getting enough nutrients. If necessary, they can also recommend alternative foods that your child can eat safely.
Will my child always have a peanut allergy?
In most cases, a peanut allergy can be life-long.
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When to go the emergency room
If your child is having a severe allergic reaction to peanut, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. If your child’s doctor prescribed them an epinephrine autoinjector, administer this medication to your child right away. See Anaphylaxis: How to recognize and respond to a severe allergic reaction for more information.