If your child recently underwent an allergy evaluation that indicated a peanut intolerance, they're not alone. Peanuts are among the most common food allergies in children and adults, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Here's a closer look at peanut allergies in children, including how to keep them safe at school. 

What Are the Common Symptoms of a Peanut Allergy?

When a person has an allergy, their immune system recognizes the foreign agent as dangerous even though it poses no harm to others. Those with peanut allergies typically experience symptoms immediately after eating the nut or related foods, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Symptoms can include acute rashes, such as hives or eczema, as well as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Coughing, wheezing, and a runny nose are also possible. In more severe cases, a child may experience swelling of the tongue, lips, or face. 

Allergic individuals can also experience anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction causing the throat to close and blood pressure to drop suddenly. In addition to rashes, nausea, and vomiting, anaphylactic shock symptoms include a weak pulse, dizziness, and fainting. 

How Can You Help Your Child When They Go to School?

It’s normal to worry about your child attending school with a peanut allergy since many children enjoy PBJs and other peanut-based foods for lunch, which can present cross-contamination concerns. Help your child stay safe by alerting school officials and teachers to your child’s allergy. Provide the resident nurse with medication in the event of a reaction, including emergency epinephrine injections if the young one goes into anaphylactic shock. 

Talk to your child about polite ways to turn down foods with peanuts during lunch hours, such as saying, “I’m full from my food, but thank you for wanting to share.” Also, discuss common foods that can contain peanuts, such as candy bars with nougat and nuts or baked goods made with crushed nuts as toppings. The more your child understands about their allergy and detrimental foods, the fewer reactions they will experience. 

If your child requires an allergy evaluation or other pediatric care, contact Mante Pediatrics. Dr. Ebenezer Mante provides a full suite of pediatric services, including sports physicals and vaccines, in addition to allergy evaluations. Call (803) 385-2075 to make an appointment in Rock Hill or Chester, SC, and learn more about the clinic online.