Peanuts: The Number One Food Allergy in California, Here’s What You Need to Know

If you or your child has a peanut allergy, you are among the number one affected group of food allergies. According to a study done by FAIR Health, peanuts topped the list of most common allergens, followed by tree nuts, seeds, eggs, crustaceans, and dairy. So, what does that mean? It means it is widely known and manageable with the help of a doctor experienced in food allergies.

Here at Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group, we have specialized physicians that can perform the necessary tests and provide relevant education on how to manage your food allergy. Call 805-658-9500 to schedule an appointment, or you can schedule an appointment online. It is important to understand the severity of your allergy. Learn more about peanut allergies below and how it can be managed.

Symptoms to a peanut allergy

Anaphylaxis reactions can be as mild as itchy skin to be severe as your airway closing. It is important to meet with a specialist to learn the severity. The most common reactions are:

• Skin reactions: hives, redness, or swelling
• Itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat
• Digestive problems, such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting
• Tightening of the throat
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Runny nose

If you have severe signs and symptoms of a peanut allergy, you should consult your doctor or an allergist about treatment options.

How we can help

Although there is currently no cure or treatments for food allergies, we can still offer assistance. Since 30 percent of children with one food allergy have multiple food allergies, and food-allergic children are also two to four times more likely to have allergic asthma, it’s wise to get tested to identify all allergic triggers rather than waiting for the child to manifest symptoms by chance.

We can also educate you on prevention techniques. You will learn how to avoid exposure to peanuts by seeing how to effectively examine food labels. We can also provide proper dietary recommendations so you don’t encounter any reactions.

Prevent allergic reactions to peanuts

Contact the professionals at Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group to schedule an appointment to learn how to manage your peanut allergy. Call us at 805-658-9500 or reach out to us on our Contact Page. Learn more how we can help you manage your food allergies here.