According to a study spanning from 1997 to 2008, peanut allergies have tripled in children. This is a real concern as peanut allergies can trigger quite a severe reaction. The severity will vary from person to person, and also on how much peanut product the person has been exposed to.

Places You May Find Unexpected Peanut:

• Marinades and glazes
• Some vegetarian specific products and dishes.
• Many meat substitutes may use peanuts as an ingredient.
• Sauces and dressings (ie: hot sauce, pesto, mole, gravy, chili, salad dressing)
• Egg rolls
• Specialized Pizzas
• Some types of pet food
• Potato Pancakes
• Desserts and sweets (ie pudding, cookies, and hot chocolate)
• Dishes and foods that include extruded, cold-pressed, or expelled peanut oil (this may still contain peanut protein, which can trigger an allergic reaction)
• Many Asian and Mexican dishes contain peanuts

Keep in Mind

• Peanut allergies can trigger anaphylaxis. If prescribed, carry your epinephrine at all times!
• Many ice cream parlors use shared scoops, this can be an issue for allergens. Be careful of contamination due to utensils in restaurants and especially salad bars. 
• Peanuts can be sneaky! They can hide by other names like ground nuts, monkey nuts, or beer nuts. Proceed with caution.
• There may be a predisposition to allergy for younger siblings of children diagnosed with a peanut allergy. Discuss with your allergist to discuss testing options
• Be careful to check all labels, peanuts can be hiding in a large number of candies, chocolates, and foods.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can someone with a peanut allergy outgrow the allergy?

Studies done in recent years debunk the idea that a peanut allergy is a lifelong allergy. These studies suggest that 15% of children diagnosed with peanut allergy can outgrow it.

Can substitute nut butter (i.e., cashew nut butter) be used in place of peanut butter?

If you are only allergic to peanuts and not tree nuts, you can substitute other nut butters such as almond or cashew in your food- please be mindful of cross-contamination. It is important to read labels well.  When baking at home raisins, oats, or dried cherries can be used as a substitute for peanuts.

Can peanut allergy be prevented?

New guidelines released in 2017 recommend the early introduction of peanut butter, especially in kids at high risk of developing an allergy. This should be discussed with your allergist.