How do you get a peanut allergy?

Are you one of those people who can’t step within 10 feet of peanuts without breaking out in hives? Does the mere thought of peanut butter send shivers down your spine and not in a good way? Well, my friend, you are not alone. In fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), approximately 1% of adults and 3% of children in the United States have a peanut allergy. But how does one get such an allergy in the first place? Let’s explore.

The Basics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let’s cover some basics. An allergy is essentially your immune system going haywire and overreacting to something that shouldn’t be harmful. When it comes specifically to food allergies like peanut allergies, your immune system mistakes certain proteins found in foods as dangerous invaders and launches an attack.

Genetics: Blame Your Parents!

Thanks Mom! Thanks Dad! Unfortunately for us allergic folk, genetics plays a significant role in whether or not we develop food allergies like peanuts. If one parent has an allergy, there is about a 20-40% chance their child will also develop an allergy; if both parents have allergies, that chance jumps up to around 60-80%. So really when it comes down to it – blame your parents!

Early Exposure

It used to be recommended that mothers avoid certain allergenic foods during pregnancy and breastfeeding so as not to increase their child’s risk for developing allergies. However, research has shown that early exposure may actually help prevent allergic reactions later on.

In fact, studies suggest introducing peanuts into infants’ diets between four months old through eleven months old with moderate-to-high likelihoods resolved symptoms by age five years compared with placebo treatment [source]. The reasoning behind this is because early exposure allows babies’ immune systems to learn that peanuts are not an enemy but instead a friend, leading them to develop more tolerance.

Environmental Factors

Aside from genetics and early exposure, there may be other environmental factors at play. In recent years, research has suggested that living in areas with high pollution or traffic density could increase the risk of developing peanut allergies [source]. This is because pollutants and exhaust fumes can irritate the lungs and airways, making them more susceptible to inflammation which is a vital component of allergic reactions.

Additionally, some studies have shown that living in areas where people use pesticides frequently increases the likelihood of having food allergies such as peanuts [source]. So maybe moving to a farm isn’t such a bad idea after all!

Delayed Exposure: The Peanut Patch

If you already have a confirmed peanut allergy, fear not — there may still be hope! A relatively new treatment option called “peanut patch therapy” has emerged over the past few years. Essentially it involves wearing a small patch containing minute amounts of peanut proteins on your skin for extended periods. The goal is to gradually desensitize yourself by exposing yourself slowly over time until you develop more tolerance [source]. This method shows promising results so far; however, it’s important always to consult with your allergist before trying any experimental treatments like this one.

Conclusion

In summary, despite what our parents might want us to believe – we weren’t born perfect little angels when it comes down to being able ‘to handle’ certain foods properly without building sensitivities or becoming outright allergic along the way.
Whether it’s genetics or environmental factors at play–the best advice we collectively came up with went something like this: Eat everything in moderation- except Nutella (because nothing about chocolate nut butter makes sense…but also yum).

Stay safe my fellow nut-allergy folk….stay safe.

Dane Raynor

Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!