The Danger Of A Child Peanut Allergy

Why A Child Peanut Allergy Is A Concern

Child peanut allergies are of particular concern for four main reasons:

• Child peanut allergies cause life-threatening reactions in many cases
• Children with child peanut allergies may be extremely sensitive to peanuts and peanut products—some children cannot even be near peanuts or products
• Peanuts, peanut oils, and peanut products are found in many foods, and cross-contamination increases the possibility of peanut-causing allergens in others
• Child peanut allergies are not usually outgrown

Anaphylaxis is an uncommon allergy symptom for most food allergies, but it is much more common in the case of a child peanut allergy, accounting for 80% of anaphylactic reactions.

Signs And Symptoms Of A Child Peanut Allergy

The signs and symptoms of a child peanut allergy can come on very suddenly and severely, without warning.  It is not unusual for a child's first taste of a peanut to cause their first known reaction from a child peanut allergy.

Early signs that a child might be experiencing a reaction resulting from a child peanut allergy include

• Runny nose
• Skin rash or hives
• Tingling of the tongue
• Itchy mouth or throat

These symptoms can quickly progress into much more dangerous peanut allergy symptoms and anaphylactic shock.  Any time any of the following symptoms are observed, the child needs to seek medical emergency help immediately.  Threatening symptoms of a child peanut allergy may be

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, or throat
• Body swelling
• Drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion

Still other symptoms may result from a child peanut allergy, including

• Hoarse/raspy voice
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Diarrhea
• Feeling of being light-headed

Tips For Parents Of Children With Child Peanut Allergies

Any time a child peanut allergy is suspected, it should be discussed with the child's pediatrician or family doctor immediately.  A diagnosis can be confirmed and a plan of action, which will include strict avoidance of peanuts and peanut products, will be devised.  Armed with this plan, and the following tips for managing life with a child peanut allergy, parents and caregivers can give the child the best chance at avoiding potentially dangerous reactions.

• Learn how to read food labels and look for possible cross-contamination.
• Thoroughly read every food label
• Keep injectable epinephrine with your child everywhere they go—including at school, sports, and activities, at home, and in the car
• Carry antihistamine with the child
• Avoid fried foods in restaurants, as they are often cooked in peanut oils
• Don't allow your child to eat anything with unknown ingredients
• Be vocal about your child's peanut allergy and make sure all teachers, family members, friends, and family know not only how the child should eat, but also what to do in case of an accidental ingestion or reaction
• Develop an emergency plan in case of reaction and help your child memorize it
• Teach your child that it is not safe for them to accept food from others unless you give the okay
• Pack food for your child to eat at friends' houses and birthday parties
• Encourage frequent hand-washing
• Pack a list of especially dangerous foods for your child to keep with him/her
• Help your child learn the signs of a reaction and get help as needed
• Do not allow yourself or your child to become relaxed about his or her child peanut allergy

To be sure, life with a child peanut allergy can be a scary thing; but when care is taken to properly manage the diet of a peanut-allergic child, and when a clear plan is laid out for emergency procedures in the event of an accidental peanut ingestion, life with a child peanut allergy is much less threatening.