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Allergic Reaction to Peanuts: Can We Predict Reaction Severity in the Wild?

  • FOOD ALLERGY (D ATKINS, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Peanut allergy (PNA) is the main cause of food-induced anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions are more likely to occur in older patients and those with underlying asthma. Skin prick testing and measuring serum-specific IgE and recombinant peanut protein levels have been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of PNA and prediction of reactivity, but these tests are less consistent and reliable in terms of predicting the severity of reactions. Recent research has examined the role of biological mediators in allergic reactions such as platelet-activating factor. These may provide a future tool in predicting those at risk of severe reactions. Currently, there are no parameters that can predict with certainty those at risk of anaphylaxis, and management of PNA should continue to focus on patient and family education.

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Conflict of Interest

Jonathan O’B Hourihane has received grant support from the Food Standards Agency UK, the National Children’s Research Centre Ireland, and Danone; has received speaker fee honoraria from Mead Johnson, Nutricia, and Pfizer; and has had travel/accommodations expenses covered/reimbursed by Stallergenes and Nutricia.

Aisling Flinn declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

    Aisling Flinn & Jonathan O’B Hourihane

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  1. Aisling Flinn
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  2. Jonathan O’B Hourihane
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Correspondence to Jonathan O’B Hourihane.

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Flinn, A., Hourihane, J.O. Allergic Reaction to Peanuts: Can We Predict Reaction Severity in the Wild?. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 13, 645–650 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-013-0369-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-013-0369-5

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