Another child became sick after taking one bite of a cookie that had finely chopped peanuts in it. Peanut allergies for children is a very serious issue. The peanut is a member of the legume family, and is not considered to be a true nut. A peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies because the peanut proteins can act as powerful allergens, even in tiny amounts. Peanut allergy is probably the most common cause of death by food anaphylaxis in the United States.
People can have severe reactions just by inhaling the odor or fragrance of peanuts.
Allergists agree people with peanut allergy can die after ingesting or inhaling minute amounts of peanuts or peanut products. Children under the age of three are most likely to have food sensitivities, probably because their immune systems cannot yet tolerate a wide range of new substances. Children with a family history of food allergies should not be given peanuts or peanut products until the age of three for this reason. In fact, John Warner, a professor of child health at Southampton University, recommends that during pregnancy and breast feeding , women with a family history of allergies should not consume these products. They can cause reactions ranging from itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth to life-threatening shortness of breath and a drop in blood pressure.