What's the deal with peanut allergies?

[solferino]

Lots of diseases have been on the rise in the last 25+ years; allergies, Alzheimer’s, MS, lupus and other autoimmune diseases, autism, childhood behavioral disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome just to name a few are happening at staggering rates. Everybody wonders why so many kids have autism and why so many old people are getting neurological disorders. Why are so many women getting autoimmune disease? Well, something else emerged in the early 80s besides an increase in diseases; aspartame. Many Americans (and I was once on of them) consume diet sodas by the bucket-loads. I know that a lot of people will think I’m a whack-job, but I really believe aspartame is behind a lot of the illnesses in the USA today. And yes, I do realize that the scientific “evidence” doesn’t back this up. But I also know that many, if not most doctors feel that aspartame at best “causes problems for some people” and at worst is “a national health crisis.” There is tons of anecdotal evidence; evidence that most doctors I’ve seen believe points to aspartame as being a cause for the increase in certain health problems. But the government studies show otherwise. Some people argue this is because aspartame is a huge business in the USA. I hate conspiracy theories myself, but I have to question those studies because I know my own personal experience leaves me with no doubt whatsoever that aspartame made me very sick.

Just something to think about! People are looking for causes for today’s increase in certain health issues. It could be a big coincidence, but aspartame came out in the very early 80s, and that is also when all these allergies, behavior problems, neurological and autoimmune disorders began to increase. As for peanut allergies, there could be lots of reasons for it. But aspartame usage could be a factor.

I agree with you about asparteme being evil stuff. I've only had it a handful of times, and each time my stomach is a mess afterwards. Processed white sugar is pretty bad, too, but if I had to choose between the two I'd pick the sugar.

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

Ok - don't have any food allergies and don't have kids - just passing on some info I heard on NPR.

There are some researchers who are giving kids minute amounts of the thing they are allergic to - for example a teensy bit of peanut butter, hardly enough to see - in sandwiches and increasing it over time. They can get the child over the allergy.

Wish I knew more about it - just wanted to let you guys know that someone is working on a treatment.

 

[LadyShiva]

Ok - don't have any food allergies and don't have kids - just passing on some info I heard on NPR.

There are some researchers who are giving kids minute amounts of the thing they are allergic to - for example a teensy bit of peanut butter, hardly enough to see - in sandwiches and increasing it over time. They can get the child over the allergy.

Wish I knew more about it - just wanted to let you guys know that someone is working on a treatment.

The kids also have to constantly take the "peanut pills." It's so that if they do run into a cross-contamination ingestion issue, they won't die. As in, if they accidentally eat A peanut.

DH isn't interested, but has seen the study write-up in the Associated Press. He's not convinced that it is something he should do.

Brandie

 

[solferino]

Ok - don't have any food allergies and don't have kids - just passing on some info I heard on NPR.

There are some researchers who are giving kids minute amounts of the thing they are allergic to - for example a teensy bit of peanut butter, hardly enough to see - in sandwiches and increasing it over time. They can get the child over the allergy.

Wish I knew more about it - just wanted to let you guys know that someone is working on a treatment.

The kids also have to constantly take the "peanut pills." It's so that if they do run into a cross-contamination ingestion issue, they won't die. As in, if they accidentally eat A peanut.

DH isn't interested, but has seen the study write-up in the Associated Press. He's not convinced that it is something he should do.

Brandie

Sounds familiar to the book by Chris Bohjalian "Law of Similars".

That said, even trace amounts can allegedly send someone into a reaction, so I'm not certain it would work, and probably wouldn't want to myself or a loved one to be a guinea pig to try it out. (not allergic, nor is anyone in my family, but just saying) Just as I am doubtful the 'allergy free' peanuts that were discussed in the news recently will be the norm.

 

[poohandwendy]

With response to breastfeeding rates, here's an excerpt from the American Journal of Public Health:

"...Indeed, breastfeeding habits in the last 30 years have differed according to class and race in a much starker way than they did a century ago. Only one group of women have embraced breastfeeding in large numbers since the early 1970s—White, college-educated women. Not only have Black women initiated breastfeeding at roughly half the rate of White women, but the majority of Black women who do breastfeed introduce formula to their infants while still in the hospital. The race gap in breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration rates is, in fact, so cavernous that one group of researchers argues that convincing more Black women to breastfeed and to breastfeed longer would narrow the race gap in infant mortality—currently 1.3 times higher for Blacks than Whites—as significantly as preventing low birthweight, once thought to be the primary, if not sole, reason for the high Black infant death rate."

Here's the link to read the history of cow's milk replacing human milk in the US (only!): http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1448139

Long article, but I think it is worth the time.

Brandie

Your stats are irrelevant to the issue of peanut allergies. (actually, they could be relevant but most likely to disprove your point)

I grew up in the same culture I am living in now, primarily white, middle class. More women in my community are breastfeeding their children and more children in my community have peanut allergies than when I was a child. Period.

Have their been less white, children of college educated mothers acquiring peanut allergies since the rise in breastfeeding amongst their mothers? I don't think so. As a matter of fact, in my experience the numbers have risen in this group. Is there a disproportionate amount of lower income african american children with peanut allergies, who have not been breastfed? Not that I have heard.

 

[mcrockett1220]

I have a daughter with peanut and shellfish allergies who outgrew allergies to milk and wheat. As I am sure other parents of kids with food allergies have, Ihave done ALOT of research on this subject. The answer to where the allergy stems from may not be answered in our lifetime. Fortunately my daughter does not react from inhalation or sitting near someone eating the food. (Not taking into account touching, etc.) I tried her first 3 years of life to shelter her - keep her out of daycare and everything, I was afraid for anyone else to watch her, and she has paid the price for it. I recently put her in preschool because of her severe case of separation anxiety that resulted. My issue is with people who act like I am MAKING an issue of her allergy. I never ask anything special be done regarding anyone around her. I am vigilant and have taught her to be as well. As most all allergists will tell you, each exposure usually results in a worsening reaction. You never know how any exposure could result for the child. And I am not willing to risk my daughters life because of a nut. I hate when people think I am over-exaggerating the situation. We have her retested every 6 months to confirm the level of her allergy. If their childs life was in danger I dont think they would be so harsh. Dont make special arrangements for my child, I don't expect that. But respect the fear and difficulty that comes with raising a child that is affected by this.

 

[komondorok]

Ok - don't have any food allergies and don't have kids - just passing on some info I heard on NPR.

There are some researchers who are giving kids minute amounts of the thing they are allergic to - for example a teensy bit of peanut butter, hardly enough to see - in sandwiches and increasing it over time. They can get the child over the allergy.

Wish I knew more about it - just wanted to let you guys know that someone is working on a treatment.

National Jewish Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in the country for studying peanut allergies (located in Denver, CO), was doing this quite awhile back.

They killed a kid.

he was dead in seconds after receiving his desensitization dose,

In 1996, a brave physician, Harold Nelson, M.D. at the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Diseases in Denver, Colorado, launched a heroic study of peanut desensitization. This study was extremely well designed and carefully administered. It was a controlled study in which some children were injected with peanut extract and some were injected with a placebo. The injections were only given with full intensive care unit and emergency department support. It is difficult to imagine a safer place to conduct this study than in this world-renowned center, with people who have great respect for the power of allergies. Still, one child who received the peanut injection died seconds later from laryngospasm, before resuscitation was possible. This tragedy abruptly ended the only study conducted on desensitization to peanut allergies.

 

[Christine]

Interestingly enough, when I got home last night, I had a letter from my son's school regarding food allergies. I thought I'd copy it here so you can see how one school handles it. Also, there was an interesting comment in the letter about how many kids were allergic--I was astounded (I've bolded it). Keep in mind the school is K-8. I know for a fact these kids aren't "faking" it or it is imagined because this school requires a lot of documentation from physicians before they will allow the Epi-Pen. So, either it's true or the physicians are being manipulated:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As parents of children with severe allergies to foods, you understand the dangers of an anaphylactic reaction. You also recognize that with prevention and proper information thse children can live normal lives.

This year we have a large amount of children with severe allergiies that require an Epi-Pen to be kept in the clinic. There is only one class in the entire school that does not have such a child. Because of this we have established a plan to keep all of the children safe. We are asking all of the parents to please send in a safe snack for your child to be kept in the classroom for the teacher to use when special treats such as birthday parties, etc. occur. We cannot allow your child to have any snack sent in from outside the school as we have no way of knowing all of the ingredients in the food item.

There will, from time to time, be occasions when either your child's class or a whole school wide event will occur where food will be served. For these occasions, we will send home notificiation to you with an explanation of the event and what will be served with ingredients as provided. A permission form will be sent home for all such events requesting your permission for your child to have the food item or not to have the item. Your child will only receive the item if the permission slip is signed by the parent/guardian. If not, the snack you have given your child's teacher will be served to your child.

Please know we are implementing this plan with all of our student's best interests in mind. As you know, prevention is the most important thing we can do for students with allergies.

I'm happy with the way they are handling this, although I think it will be a nightmare for the staff. The school is private and they have several school-wide functions each year, involving food, and I just wonder how they will handle it during the chaos.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Interestingly enough, when I got home last night, I had a letter from my son's school regarding food allergies. I thought I'd copy it here so you can see how one school handles it. Also, there was an interesting comment in the letter about how many kids were allergic--I was astounded (I've bolded it). Keep in mind the school is K-8. I know for a fact these kids aren't "faking" it or it is imagined because this school requires a lot of documentation from physicians before they will allow the Epi-Pen. So, either it's true or the physicians are being manipulated:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As parents of children with severe allergies to foods, you understand the dangers of an anaphylactic reaction. You also recognize that with prevention and proper information thse children can live normal lives.

This year we have a large amount of children with severe allergiies that require an Epi-Pen to be kept in the clinic. There is only one class in the entire school that does not have such a child. Because of this we have established a plan to keep all of the children safe. We are asking all of the parents to please send in a safe snack for your child to be kept in the classroom for the teacher to use when special treats such as birthday parties, etc. occur. We cannot allow your child to have any snack sent in from outside the school as we have no way of knowing all of the ingredients in the food item.

There will, from time to time, be occasions when either your child's class or a whole school wide event will occur where food will be served. For these occasions, we will send home notificiation to you with an explanation of the event and what will be served with ingredients as provided. A permission form will be sent home for all such events requesting your permission for your child to have the food item or not to have the item. Your child will only receive the item if the permission slip is signed by the parent/guardian. If not, the snack you have given your child's teacher will be served to your child.

Please know we are implementing this plan with all of our student's best interests in mind. As you know, prevention is the most important thing we can do for students with allergies.

I'm happy with the way they are handling this, although I think it will be a nightmare for the staff. The school is private and they have several school-wide functions each year, involving food, and I just wonder how they will handle it during the chaos.

That sounds very reasonable. They are protecting the kids without banning everything and trying to control the stigma effect.

There are balanced ways to handle it and you have to commend a school that's willing to work for that balance rather than just put a ban on or isolate the kids. I would be more concerned about a ban, because I would think it would be more likely that people would flaunt it.

 

[KariC]

I was born at the very end of 1974 and bottle feeding was the norm then. Myself included. I don't know anyone my age that has a peanut allergy. Quite a few bee allergies, but no nut, corn, soy, etc.. allergies. I do know several people who developed a seafood allergy in their 20's and 30's though.
In my case, I had a slew of allergies since I was a toddler and not one of them was food related. And fluffernutters with coffee milk were a lunchtime staple growing up, so it wasn't a lack of exposure that saved me either

Hey, Jenn. Born in Aug. of 1973. I'm allergic to soy, tree nuts, and peanuts. Also allergic to latex, and other "usual" allergens (all animals, grasses, molds, dust, etc.). We're out there!

 

[Cruisin]

Hey, Jenn. Born in Aug. of 1973. I'm allergic to soy, tree nuts, and peanuts. Also allergic to latex, and other "usual" allergens (all animals, grasses, molds, dust, etc.). We're out there!

I know a man who was born in 1956 who has a peanut and also a shellfish allergy. I met him when he was a teenager but he had the allergy from an early age.

So it was around even back then.

My son was born in 1983 with an anaphyactic peanut allergy.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I sympathize with you on this one. My DS is allergic to milk and corn and corn syrup is in everything. Tell you cousin to make sure to visit the organic section of her grocery store and/or a health food store. It is a good place to start. We have had some luck finding items for DS to eat there. Other than that we try to focus on whole foods (lean meats, veggies and fruit, etc.). The more processed something is the less likely he can eat it. To stay somewhat on topic Skippy creamy peanut butter does not contain HFCS.

Also if there is a Trader Joe's around that should be a good place to shop!

 

[LadyShiva]

SIL has developed a peanut allergy. She was born in the late 50's. She also developed a milk allergy. Bear in mind she could have had the allergy and not recognized it previously, too. She had various other allergies, such as kiwi.

With regards to the nursing stats I published, the statistics showed the US tends to nurse children for less than 6 months, and has done so historically. As the recommendation is to nurse kids for a year to 2 years, I do think the idea is still valid. The US hospital initiation rates are so high for white, college-educated women, but the 6 month duration rates are pitiful (for a LOT of reasons, keep reading). I am not professing a belief that breastfeeding is the magic bullet for allergies, but the belief that breastfeeding for a year or more minimizes the allergies one develops, in infancy and in adulthood.

For example, my kiddo has shellfish and peanut allergies, ingestion-based. Her dad has peanut allergies, among a host of others. His mother was told he was allergic to her milk, so she had him on 3 solid foods a day by a month old. Kiddo was nursed for 2 years. She still developed 2 major allergies, but she didn't/hasn't developed the milk allergy she got from the 2 of us (mine is a minor reaction, DH's is analphylactic shock--oh yeah, he's fun to cook for, huh? *grin*).

The idea I am trying to make is that to minimize the damage to the intestines for newborns (and therefore protect from developing allergies) it is best practice to nurse your kids for at least a year. Other countries, such as Sweden and Canada, have managed to do this, so I know it is possible. Sweden has a 97% success rate for breastfeeding.

However, the US has a bad habit of favoring pharmaceutical companies and the formula companies (who are owned by the drug companies), over public health. We also have only 6-8 weeks of maternity leave, which of course is unpaid. The US flouts international law and allows formula companies to advertise, distribute free samples, and various other illegal activities. The US also has encouraged formula use over breastfeeding via WIC services in the past. I believe the WIC programs are getting better about realizing the populations they serve are best supported if their kids receive the antibodies their mom's milk provides, versus the money for formula. The WIC programs in Colorado, Utah, and several other states even provide Medela Pump In Style pumps to working moms who want to pump for their kids for the first year--that's quite an investment!

I don't know that I agree with an increased allergy rate, frankly, because I haven't seen any official statistics. Epi-Pens were patented in 2004. I read that epinephrine was first artificially synthesized in 1904, but I don't see where it became a treatment option for most people. My grandmother's family still delivered ice for people's ice boxes in the 1930's, and my husband says his epinephrine had to be refrigerated when he was growing up (no longer necessary with Epi-Pens).

If we agree to treat the peanut allergy like the large-scale latex allergy that is developing, then we can use the latex allergy explosion as proof that repeated exposure to a relatively new allergen will result in a rapidly increasing population that becomes allergic. Citing: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_1_72/ai_64424305/pg_7 This article states that 1989 is the first time latex allergies came to the attention of the FDA.

Bear in mind I am discussing 2 types of exposures. I believe breastfeeding serves in some part as a protectant against ingestion allergies by not causing microtears in the newborn's intestines (which cross-species artificial baby milk does) and by populating the bacterial flora. The other type of exposure relevant to peanut allergies is contact-based, which is possibly (if we agree) a similiar reaction to latex.

What are your thoughts? I am not dismissing a host of other issues (environmental, chemical, etc), I'm just not as interested in those causes. I don't consume aspartame because it makes me sick. I try to eat organic when it is worthwhile. I even worked for the USDA for a while in the center that "found plants that killed other plants" for weed control, and various other hippie endeavors like "what makes wine, strawberries, and raspberries good for you?" I was their propaganda department, no less. One thing that was pointed out to me by a scientist I worked with was the amount of hormones showing up in the water supply due to the urine from women on birth control pills. The hormones aren't destroyed by the women consuming them, but are passed out, and therefore pass into the waste water.

I'm sure there were many other points discussed on this thread equally worth mentioning here!

Brandie

 

[ducklite]

Your stats are irrelevant to the issue of peanut allergies. (actually, they could be relevant but most likely to disprove your point)

I grew up in the same culture I am living in now, primarily white, middle class. More women in my community are breastfeeding their children and more children in my community have peanut allergies than when I was a child. Period.

Have their been less white, children of college educated mothers acquiring peanut allergies since the rise in breastfeeding amongst their mothers? I don't think so. As a matter of fact, in my experience the numbers have risen in this group. Is there a disproportionate amount of lower income african american children with peanut allergies, who have not been breastfed? Not that I have heard.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but wanted to point out that asthma rates are on the rise for lower income african american children, who have not been breastfed--much more significantly than in middle income white suburban children.

What does that mean? I don't know. I don't think there is a single answer to all of this. I think it's a combination of environmental effects such as the depletion of the ozone layer, various chemical and hormone additives in our generally over processed food which is packaged in plastic, etc.

And speaking of plastic packaging...40 years ago cereal came in paper or foil bags inside of the box. Milk came in a waxed cardboard carton. Meat came wrapped in paper. Peanut butter came in a glass jar, as did jelly, maple syrup, and vegetable oil. Vegetables came in a can or frozen in a waxed cardboard box--no plastic inner bag. Butter came by the stick, wrapped in paper, not in plastic tubs. Fruit came in cans--in two sizes, regular and large. There were no "individual portions" of anything. Today EVERYTHING is in plastic--and frankly I think the chemicals from all of that plastic might be a large factor in the rising rates of cancer, autism, even certain allergies and asthma.

Anne

 

[Crankyshank]

Hey, Jenn. Born in Aug. of 1973. I'm allergic to soy, tree nuts, and peanuts. Also allergic to latex, and other "usual" allergens (all animals, grasses, molds, dust, etc.). We're out there!

I didn't mean to say people with those allergies didn't exist. Just that I have never encountered anyone with one. And since I've struck up many a conversation in the allergist's office in the 28yrs I've been seeing one, I've yet to come across someone with a nut allergy with someone older than my sister (22)

 

[Christine]

I have a 47 year old co-worker with a severe sesame allergy.

Another co-worker, age 36, has a tree nut allergy.

Both have gone on to produce children who have a peanut allergy (among other foods).

But, I admit, it does kind of surprise me when I hear of adults having food allergies. You never heard of it "back in the day" but obviously they were out there.

I have lots of friends/co-workers who don't have allergies yet it seems that everyone of them has a family member (younger) that has some type of food allergy--mainly peanut. One of my friends has no known allergies in his family, but his brother has twin girls with peanut allergy. Their mother has no allergies either. These girls have also been raised in Syria.

 

[okeydokey]

Return to breastfeeding our kids. Diabetes, high cholesterol, food allergies, increase in breast cancer rates, etc, are proven to have links to whether the adults were fed formula or breastmilk as children. The increase in food allergies also follows the decrease in successful breastfeeding.

But hey, breastfeeding isn't going to make anybody rich, so why should we listen to the laboratories saying the same things my grandmother said for years??? *argh*

Brandie

I breastfed my son for a year. He has asthma and peanut allergies. He's also allergic to lots of other things. He was plagued with ear infections as an infant. I am a huge supporter of breast feeding, but it doesn't eliminate all health problems.

 

[ducklite]

I didn't mean to say people with those allergies didn't exist. Just that I have never encountered anyone with one. And since I've struck up many a conversation in the allergist's office in the 28yrs I've been seeing one, I've yet to come across someone with a nut allergy with someone older than my sister (22)

I'm 46, pushing towards 47. I'm allergic to tree nuts (just being within a few feet of pine nuts in a steaming plate of food causes hives), peanuts, coconut, scallops, fire ants, and more trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants than I can name. And feathers/down. And more molds than I can pronounce. And a list of medications as long as your arm.

But hey, I'm not allergic to cockroaches.

Anne

 

[poohandwendy]

With regards to the nursing stats I published, the statistics showed the US tends to nurse children for less than 6 months, and has done so historically. As the recommendation is to nurse kids for a year to 2 years, I do think the idea is still valid. The US hospital initiation rates are so high for white, college-educated women, but the 6 month duration rates are pitiful (for a LOT of reasons, keep reading). I am not professing a belief that breastfeeding is the magic bullet for allergies, but the belief that breastfeeding for a year or more minimizes the allergies one develops, in infancy and in adulthood.

Again, if that were the case...there would be less allergies today, not more, because more children today are breastfed for a year than they were when I was growing up.

Christine mentions earlier that she just received a school notification that there is at least one child in every class but one with allergies severe enough to create an anaphylactic reaction. Sorry, that was not happening in the 70's when very few kids were breastfed at all, let alone for a year.

If the connection is breastfeeding, even breastfeeding for a short period of time would have at least a small positive affect, it's obvious it hasn't because we are seeing more food allergies and definitely more severe food allergies than when most kids were never breastfed at all. And if the magic number is two years, then there would still be less children now with allergies (especially severe ones) because most kids before were not breastfed at all and many are breastfed for 2 years. Yet, food allergies are definitely higher now than before. It just does not add up, the idea that breastfeeding would make a difference.

FWIW, I am not anti-breastfeeding, I think it has great benefits and I breastfed all three of my children. But, I do not believe breastfeeding is a measure that helps guard children from food allergies or we would be seeing less rather than more today.

FTR, I never said allergies did not exist amongst my peers, but they did not exist in the vast numbers seen today. As a kid, the ones who had food allergies were the exception. Now it is commonplace.

 

[poohandwendy]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but wanted to point out that asthma rates are on the rise for lower income african american children, who have not been breastfed--much more significantly than in middle income white suburban children.

I was not making the case that breastfeeding did not have significant benefits, only that I do not think breastfeeding is lowering the rates of food allergies.