Definition of Peanut allergy Peanut allergy: An allergic
reaction to peanuts, the leading cause of anaphylaxis, the most
severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction, and
the leading cause of death from food allergy in the US and other
Western nations. The prevalence of peanut allergy is increasing.
This increase may be due to the exposure of infants with rashes
to products such as skin preparations containing peanut oils,
sensitizing the children to peanuts. Peanuts contain the same
major allergenic proteins (called Ara h 1, 2, and 3) as tree
nuts such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios. About a third of
persons with peanut allergy therefore have subsequent allergic
reactions to tree nuts. To prevent allergic reactions, one
should avoid all nuts and foods containing nuts. This is easier
said than done. Food labels should be scrutinized and dishes of
unknown origin should be avoided. Despite such precautions,
people with peanut allergy average a reaction every 3 to 5 years
from inadvertent expos