MEDICALLY SPEAKING: Stadium seating draws attention to peanut allergy issues
I suppose I could be considered middle-aged, yet I don't recall such measures ever being an issue during my childhood. Kids at school freely ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and I don't remember a single classmate going into anaphylactic shock. So is this a new phenomenon? And, if so, why?
"That's a tough question to answer," says Chad Smith, DO, a family physician with SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group in Warrenton and on staff at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis. "There's been some investigation into the apparent increase in severe peanut and other food allergies in recent years, but very little scientific evidence to point to what's causing it."Shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, milk and eggs are among the most common food allergens. For some people, even a minute amount of the allergen can cause a reaction. In many cases, that reaction is no more serious than a rash, runny nose and itchy eyes. But some individuals have dangerous allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis, which causes tissue swelling and problems breathing. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and should be treated immediately. Call 911 if you experience any trouble breathing or tingling sensations in your face or limbs shortly after eating.
Children, who are more likely to react to milk, soy and eggs, often outgrow these allergies. However, peanut and shellfish allergies are known to continue into adulthood.
"We do know that breast-feeding seems to help protect against the development of severe food allergies," Smith says. "Also, parents should not feed their babies solid food until they are 6 months old, and don't introduce milk or dairy products in the first year. Eggs can be introduced to children who are 2 years old, but a child should be at least 3 before they are given peanuts, other nuts or shellfish."
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends that anyone with a peanut allergy avoid: artificial nuts, beer nuts, ground nuts, mixed nuts, monkey nuts and nut pieces; cold-pressed, expelled or extruded peanut oil or arachis oil; mandelonas; peanut butter and peanut flour. Also, caution is needed with certain foods that may contain peanut protein. These include: African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese dishes; baked goods; candy; chili; egg rolls; enchilada sauce; flavoring; marzipan; nougat; and sunflower seeds.
"Some apparent food allergies are really just food intolerance," Smith says. "They may upset your stomach, but they don't cause the immune reaction that's the hallmark of a true allergy. Only about 6 percent of American children are thought to have food allergies."
As a number of scientific organizations continue to study the reasons for the uptick in peanut allergies, the best course of action is to talk to your primary-care physician about food allergy prevention and control. Testing can determine if a real allergy exists, and your doctor can help you learn important management strategies, including enjoying the game from peanut-free stadium zones!
Dr. Anthony Jennings is director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and has achieved fellowship status in the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.
