It’s Nuts, Yes, But They Can Be Deadly

Classes have started for many kids, but before you put that peanut butter and jelly sandwich in your kid’s lunch, think about the possible consequences. The scary reality is that food allergies are becoming more common.

In the last 10 years there has been an 18 percent increase in the number of children diagnosed with a food allergy. In fact, one in 22 kids has a food allergy, which means it’s likely there is a child in your kid’s classroom who has a potentially deadly allergy.

Nut allergies can be especially dangerous because you never know how a child will react when exposed to the allergen. Even if he or she had a mild reaction the first time, there is no guarantee it won’t be more serious the next time.

Reactions can cause symptoms that range from watery eyes and a rash to anaphylaxis, which is when a person’s airway swells and blood pressure drops. This is an extremely dangerous reaction which can cause a child to stop breathing and lose consciousness.

What a lot of people don’t know is that a peanut allergy is not limited to peanuts. If a child has a peanut allergy, they also can be allergic to numerous types of nuts and seeds.

Nuts contain tough proteins that protect the seeds from being decomposed in the ground and having animals try to eat them. It’s those proteins that cause the allergic reaction.

What triggers the reaction is becoming clearer, as well.

Research is showing that it’s not the airborne nut particles inhaled that causes the reaction. Instead, it’s the touching of a surface that has been exposed to a nut and the ensuing ingestion of those particles that sets off the reaction.

If your child has a nut allergy, it is vital that his or her school is aware and that you work with them to ensure your child is safe.

All pans, dishes and serving utensils that have been used with nut products need to be thoroughly cleaned. If the brownies with nuts have been baked in the same pan as the brownies without nuts, an allergic reaction still might occur.

Consider packing portable cleaning wipes with your child’s lunch so he or she can wipe down the table before eating. Particles from the peanut butter and jelly sandwich another child ate on that table might still be there and cause your child to have a reaction.

New state laws allow schools to have EpiPens on-hand, but it is important for the nurse to know about your child’s allergy. Keep in contact with him or her to ensure the school is prepared should an allergic reaction occur.

One of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child is education. Make sure your child knows what he or she can and can’t eat. Talk to the teacher about addressing allergies in class so other kids understand the importance in order to keep everyone safe.

Dr. Heidi Renner is an integral part of the Loyola University Health System’s primary care team. She is double boarded in adult internal medicine and pediatrics and enjoys seeing patients of all ages from infants to geriatrics at the Loyola Center for Health at Burr Ridge. In addition, she is an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics. When not seeing patients she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, traveling and hiking.