Most people think that living with food allergy is quite simple: you just need to steer clear of those ingredients/dishes that trigger an allergic reaction and you will be fine. However, real life begs to differ. Here are some of the uncomfortable situations a person with peanut/nut allergies faces every day:

• Going to a party means that you not only have to avoid the nutty snacks, but also the people who might have had them. A simple touch (not to mention a kiss) from someone who had peanuts or tree nuts can send an allergic person into an anaphylactic shock.
• Every time you buy food (at the grocery store or at a restaurant) you have to double check the list of ingredients and/or mention your allergies to your waiter.
• Leaving home without an EpiPen® (or other epinephrine injector) is completely out of the question.
• Meeting new people is always awkward because you have to explain why you can’t shake their hands.
• If you suffer from a severe form of this allergy, you can’t even be in the same room with nuts or an open jar of peanut butter.
• Allergies are not only triggered by foods that specifically contain nuts. Most crackers and chocolate bars are produced using the same tools for several varieties; hence the label warning “may contain traces of nuts” appears. Even though “traces of nuts” sounds harmless, they can be lethal to someone suffering from peanut or nut allergies.

These are just a few examples that people with peanut or nut allergies can easily relate to. Some may consider these situations as simply awkward. Yet, they may lead to more serious issues, such as depression, social anxiety and many others. As any disease, allergies should be treated seriously and every risk factor or outcome should be taken into consideration. There are millions of people in the whole world suffering from this condition and the number is growing significantly. For instance, in the US only, peanut allergy occurrence in children has tripled between 1997 and 2008. The reason for this has yet to be discovered.

While there are many unknown facts about peanut/nut allergies (or food-related allergies in general), more and more people are suffering from them and the quality of their life is significantly affected. Allergies are usually discovered at a young age, but some can develop over time. In children, prevention can prove a lot trickier than in adults, especially if there is a lack of information.

Thus, it can easily be concluded that there are numerous ways to improve the quality of life for people with allergies. Even though medical care can be offered and research is being conducted for finding out the reasons behind this ailment, as well as its cure, we still have a long way to go. Because of this,  getting more and more people involved in this cause is of the utmost importance.

If you believe that you can contribute in any way (donation, personal involvement, research), you are welcome to contact us. Let’s join hands and make a real difference for people with peanut/nut allergies!