Most Dangerous Zone for Peanut Allergies: Home?
Written By Savvy Auntie Staff Writers
By Jaime Herndon
For kids with peanut allergies, many parents and family members worry about exposure at school, but the most dangerous place for the child may actually be at home. A Canadian study recently published in Clinical and Translational Allergy found that children with peanut allergies were most at risk for exposure in their own homes, and in cases of a moderate or severe reaction, parents and medical professionals often don’t respond appropriately. Out of 567 exposures in the study, 11% were considered severe, with only 42 % of these evaluated by a professional, and almost 1 in 6 went untreated. In a quarter of the moderate reactions, medical attention was sought 25% of the time.
In the study, 37% of exposures happened at home, 14% at other people’s homes, and less than 10% happened at school or day care. Schools and care centers that prohibited peanuts comprised almost 5% of cases, and schools that allowed peanuts made up 3% of cases. This might be because those places that allow peanuts are better at controlling risk; places that prohibit peanuts might have a false sense of security.
When at your home or your niece's or nephew’s home, be aware of the possible peanut exposures. If the child is having a reaction, stay calm, and seek medical attention. Talk to the child’s parents about emergency procedures and how to handle peanut exposures so you can be informed and calm if the time comes.
Photo:
Karen Sarraga
Published: May 19, 2015