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What are the most common allergens?
The commonest allergens include food (peanut, tree nuts, fish and seafood in adults and milk, eggs, peanut, soy, tree nuts, fish and seafood in children), medication (penicillin), insect venom, latex and exercise. After investigation, a few reactions will still be labeled 'idiopathic' or 'cause unknown'.
I developed a rash after Penicillin. Am I allergic to it?
Not necessarily. Penicillin allergy can be severe, but it is also over diagnosed. It's best to check with an allergist and, if necessary, be tested in a clinic setting.
I have been told that my child has a "mild" peanut allergy. Do they really need to carry epinephrine?
The severity of reaction is not necessarily consistent. A much more severe reaction may follow a mild one. Most allergists recommend that all people with peanut allergy consider themselves to be at risk for anaphylaxis and prepare themselves accordingly.
Is peanut oil safe to eat?
In North America, peanut oil is highly refined and the production is believed to remove or denature all of the protein (allergen) either by filtration or heat processing. In Europe and in North American specialty shops (especially health food stores), peanut oil may be cold pressed, and intact protein could be present. Allergic individuals must avoid these oils. Canadian peanut oil manufacturers, however, do not use cold pressed peanut oil as it is expensive, has a short shelf life and is potentially allergenic. In Canada, peanut oil must always be listed on the label if it is used as an ingredient or part of an ingredient. The same standards, however, do not apply to imported products. As manufacturing or manufacturing sources can change, and there is no designation of this on labels, we recommend that peanut oil be avoided by peanut/nut allergic people.
If my child is allergic to peanuts, should they avoid tree nuts and vice versa?
A significant number of children who are sensitive to peanuts are also sensitive to tree nuts. Allergies can also develop over time. It is recommended that allergic individuals avoid both groups, as the risk of cross contamination is high. Members of the Canadian Nut Council are aware of this issue and have instituted manufacturing and training programmes to help reduce the risk.
Is hydrolyzed plant protein now safe for allergic individuals?
Hydrolyzed plant protein is protein that may have originated in corn, soy, peanut or wheat and has been split by either acid hydrolysis or enzymatic digestion. Plant source is not delineated on food labels. A pilot study by Dr. Peter Vadas, et al has suggested that completely hydrolyzed plant protein may not be allergenic. Products containing partially hydrolyzed HPP are clearly allergenic. Until further studies have confirmed these findings, we recommend that allergic individuals continue to avoid eating hydrolyzed plant protein.
Last date modified on Friday, December 20, 2002
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