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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThe best way to prevent an allergic reaction to peanuts is to know and avoid foods that cause signs and symptoms. In some foods, peanuts may be well hidden. This is especially true in restaurants and in other social settings.
If you know you have peanut allergy, follow these steps:
- Be sure to read food labels carefully, and avoid foods that may have come in contact with peanuts. Manufactured foods are required to clearly state whether foods contain any peanuts, and if they were produced in factories that also process peanuts.
- If you've already had a severe reaction to peanuts, wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.
- Talk with your doctor about carrying emergency medications.
Avoid foods that often contain peanuts
Peanuts are common, and avoiding foods that contain them can be a challenge. The following foods often contain peanuts:
- Ground or mixed nuts
- Baked goods, such as cookies and pastries
- Ice cream and frozen desserts
- Energy bars
- Cereals and granola
- Grain breads
- Marzipan (a molding confection made of nuts, egg whites and sugar)
Less obvious foods may contain peanut proteins. Some examples include:
- Nougat
- Salad dressings
- Chocolate candies, nut butters (such as almond butter) and sunflower seeds are sometimes processed with equipment also used for peanuts
- Cultural foods including African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese dishes often contain peanuts
- Foods sold in bakeries and ice-cream shops may come in contact with peanuts
- Arachis oil, another name for peanut oil
Take steps to keep your child safe
If your child has peanut allergy, these precautions can help:
- Notify key people that your child has peanut allergy. Talk with child care providers, school personnel, parents of your child's friends, and other adults who regularly interact with your child. Emphasize that an allergic reaction can be life-threatening and requires immediate action. Make sure that your child also knows to ask for help right away if he or she reacts to peanuts.
- Make sure your child's epinephrine autoinjector is always available. If your child has had a serious allergic reaction to peanuts, he or she may be prescribed an emergency epinephrine injector (EpiPen, Twinject). An injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) can immediately reduce the severity of a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Epinephrine is good for about 18 months. Be sure to replace epinephrine nearing the expiration date. Expired epinephrine may not be effective.
- Explain peanut allergy symptoms. Teach the adults who spend time with your child how to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to peanuts.
- Write an action plan. Your plan should describe how to care for your child when he or she has an allergic reaction to peanuts. Provide a copy of the plan to your child's school and to others who care for and supervise your child.
- Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. This alert lists your child's name, type of allergy and the triggers that cause a reaction. It may also include brief emergency instructions.
- Discourage your child from sharing foods. It's common for kids to share snacks and treats. However, during times of fun your child may forget about food allergies or sensitivities. If your child is allergic to peanuts, encourage him or her to refrain from eating food from others.
