There was a study run between 1997 and 2008 that revealed that the reported number of peanut allergy cases has tripled. The allergic reaction to peanuts can often be one that is quite severe. The exact severity depends on a number of factors including the specific sensitivity of the person and how much peanut has been consumed.

Finding Peanuts In Unexpected places:

• Baked goods and sweets (ex: pudding, cookies, hot chocolate)
• Egg rolls
• Some varieties of pet food
• Potato pancakes
• Many Mexican and Asian dishes use peanuts in their cooking
• Many marinades and glazes
• Sauces (ex: hot sauce, chili, pesto, mole, gravy etc)
• Salad Dressing
• Specialty pizzas
• Many vegetarian dishes, particularly if specified as a meat substitute
• Any items that include extruded, expelled, or cold-pressed peanut oil. These may still contain peanut protein.

Things to Watch Out For:

• Cross contamination is a real concern. Even when a substitute nut butter (ex: soy nut butter, sunflower seed butter, etc) may not contain peanuts, it can be produced using the same equipment. Either avoid these products or confirm with the manufacturer before using.
• To determine if you should also avoid tree nuts, have a discussion with your allergist.
  Avoid ice cream in public restaurants. Many places will rinse or use shared scoops, leaving you open to cross-contamination.
• Avoid products that state “may contain peanuts.”
• There are several nicknames for peanuts: beer nuts, monkey nuts, ground nuts. If you aren’t positive, proceed with caution!
• Consult with your allergist regarding peanut oil.
• There may be a higher risk for younger siblings of children with an allergy to peanuts. Newest guidelines released in 2017 recommend early peanut butter introduction to prevent peanut allergy.
• Even though peanut is one of the eight allergens with specific labeling requirements, make sure to read all labels thoroughly.
• Peanuts can be present in many candies and other foods (especially in chocolate candy). If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer.
• Peanut allergies can be incredibly severe. If your primary care physician or allergist prescribes an epi-pen, make sure to carry it at all times.
• There are new lab tests that can help to determine if you have a higher or lower risk peanut allergy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a person outgrow a peanut allergy?

Once, peanut allergies were assumed to be lifelong. Some more recent studies suggest that potentially 20% of children may outgrow a diagnosed peanut allergy

Can I substitute another nut butter for peanut butter?

This is a risk, due to cross-contamination. Many are made using the same equipment used to create peanut butter. If you are baking, you can replace raisins, dried cranberries, or toasted oats for peanuts.

Some patients may be able to tolerate almond butter or hazelnut spread. This should be discussed with your allergist.