Peanut Allergies

No one knows exactly why, but the rate of peanut allergies is on the rise. Estimates show that this condition now affects about one in every 150 kids. In some kids, an allergic reaction can be set off by exposure to as little as one-eighth of a peanut. Sometimes the reaction is relatively minor: hives and some swelling. But in those with a severe peanut allergy, exposure can cause such rapid swelling that airways become blocked.

"These allergies can be very difficult to manage because you have to be so careful," says Dr. Scott Sicherer, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "Even tiny amounts can cause a reaction."

If you're the parent of a child with a peanut allergy, you've probably spent a lot of time making sure your house is free of peanut products. But you also need to make sure your child's teachers and the parents of his friends are aware of the sometimes-hidden presence of peanuts. A number of severe reactions and even some deaths have occurred because kids were accidentally fed peanut-containing foods at school or at a friend's house.

If your children aren't affected by peanut allergies, chances are you rarely think about being careful with nut-containing foods. But there are still things you should know because, in all likelihood, you'll have an allergic child in your home at some point. Anne Munoz-Furlong, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, says that with a bit of careful thought and preparation, you can help safeguard the health of those who are allergic.