July 10th, 2008
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This news item is more than a year old. Links, graphics, content, medical information, and statistics may be out of date. We invite you to search, visit our homepage, or contact us to find more current information on the topic you're looking for.Children's Peanut Allergies Have Doubled
Roasted Peanuts, Nut-Based Oils Contributing to Problem
Jeanie Lerche Davis
Dec. 9, 2003 -- The number of children with peanut allergies has doubled over the past few years, a new study shows.
Walnuts caused the most problems, followed by cashews, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and pine nuts.
Throat tightness, shortness of breath, and hives were the main symptoms. Nearly 80% had respiratory and other reactions; however, only three-quarters of children and less than half of adults had seen a doctor about the problem.
Source:
Sicherer SH, Munoz-Furlong A, Sampson HA. Prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergy in the United States determined by means of a random digit dial telephone survey: A 5-year follow-up study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2003 Dec;112(6):1203-7.