Peanuts are a healthy superfood that 99% of Americans can safely enjoy. Knowing that even one individual has the potential to be harmed by eating peanuts has motivated peanut farmers to contribute more than $38 million for allergy research, education and outreach.
Every day, people are incredibly curious about peanut allergies, so we've selected some of our most common questions that people have about peanut allergies and answered them below!
For the full list of questions, download our Peanut Allergies: Answers to Common handout here.
Are peanut allergies common?
Less than 1% of Americans have a peanut allergy, and food allergies overall affect about 5.8% of children ages 0-17 and 6.2% of adults (1-3). Peanut allergies are not the most common, but they are among top nine food allergens, and reactions to any food allergen can be serious and sometimes life-threatening.
What causes food allergies?
No one knows what causes food allergies in some people and not in others. While several hypotheses are being investigated, certain conditions in infants, including severe eczema and egg allergy, are known risk factors for developing a peanut allergy (1). Vaccines are not considered a cause of peanut allergy (4).
Can peanut allergy be prevented?
Yes. Research shows that introducing peanut foods to infants reduces their likelihood of developing peanut allergies by up to 86% (5). Guidelines from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that parents introduce infant-appropriate peanut foods starting as early as 4-6 months, depending on their risk (6). Discuss questions about food allergies and introducing peanut foods with your healthcare provider (6,7).
How can peanut allergic individuals prevent a reaction?
As with any food allergen, peanut allergy reactions can only be prevented by not ingesting the allergen (8). Those who are food allergic should always check labels on packaged foods, ask about ingredients in meals at restaurants and have an emergency action plan in place in case of accidental exposure.
Is there a cure for peanut allergies?
Not yet, but there are treatments available. In 2020, FDA approved Palforzia to reduce the risk of a life-threatening reaction if peanuts are accidentally eaten. In 2024, the FDA approved Xolair to reduce the severity of allergic reactions to multiple food allergies, including peanut.
What is the treatment for someone who is suffering from an allergic reaction?
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, and can occur when only a small amount of the allergenic protein is eaten. Epinephrine is the approved treatment for anaphylaxis and should be administered without delay(9). Individuals should seek medical help when a reaction occurs, including calling 911 anytime epinephrine is administered.
What are the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to food?
Identifying and treating a reaction quickly is paramount for safety. Reactions can occur within minutes to two hours after eating the food allergen.
Common signs and symptoms of food allergy reaction include (9):
- Hives
- Itching and swelling of the mouth, throat and eyes
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Reduced blood pressure, weakness and fainting
Will smelling or touching peanuts or peanut butter cause anaphylaxis?
No. Research does not support skin contact or airborne peanut butter exposure as a source of anaphylaxis, though hay fever type reactions may occur (10). Most instances of anaphylaxis are the result of accidental ingestion of peanut proteins or exposure through the eyes or mouth.
How can peanut proteins be cleaned from surfaces and skin?
Common household cleaners have demonstrated to be effective in removing peanut proteins from surfaces and eating areas. Washing with soap and water can remove peanut proteins from skin, but sanitizer alone does not (11).
Do bans on peanut products reduce the risk of accidental exposure?
No. To the contrary, research has shown that banning peanuts in schools may increase the risk for reactions and does not reduce the frequency of epinephrine use (12, 13). Bans give a false sense of security, and are not recommended by healthcare professionals. Best practices for managing food allergies in foodservice include using basic food safety techniques, separating allergens, clearly labeling allergens and avoiding cross contact in kitchens and serving areas. Most importantly, allergic customers should use caution when dining out, be sure to notify staff of their allergy and be prepared in case of accidental ingestion.
For more answers to your questions about peanut allergies, download our Peanut Allergies: Answers to Common Questions handout here.
You can also visit PeanutAllergyFacts.org to find evidence-based resources from physicians, researchers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and food allergy advocacy groups.
Additional Resources:
PeanutAllergyFacts.org, FoodAllergyAwareness.org, FoodAllergy.org, AAAAI.org
References
- NIAID. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergies in the U.S. Available at http://www.jacionline. org/article/S0091-6749%2810%2901566-6/pdf
- CDC. Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Children Aged 0-17 Years: United States, 2021. Available at https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/123250
- CDC. Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Adults: United States, 2021. Available at https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/122809
- JACI in Practice. Food allergen component proteins are not detected in early-childhood vaccines. Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5845772/
- NEJM. Randomized trial of peanut consumption in infants at risk for peanut allergy. Available at http://www.nejm. org/doi/fuli/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850
- NIAID. 2017 Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States. Available at https:// www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/guidelines-clinicians-and-patients-food-allergy
- USDA and HHS. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Available at https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
- AAP. Available at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/121/1/183
- AAAAI. Available at https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/allergies/food-allergy
- JACI. Simonte. S, et al. Relevance of casual contact with peanut butter in children with peanut allergy. Available at https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(03)01120-5/fulltext
- JACI. Perry, Tamara T…et al. Distribution of peanut allergen in the environment. Available at https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(04)01067-X/fulltext
- AACI. Accidental exposure (AE) to peanut in a large cohort of Canadian children with peanut allergy. Available at https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1710-1492-10-S1-A32
- JACI. Impact of School Peanut-Free Policies on Epinephrine Administration. Available at http://www.jacionline.org/ article/S0091-6749(17)30472-4/abstract