Health
10 surprising facts about peanut allergies, according to a pediatric immunologist
More than six million people in the U.S. have an allergy to peanuts, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
Nearly 1.6 million of these sufferers are kids and teens.
“The recent news of deaths and peanut allergies reminds us that consumers are choosing avoidance over cutting-edge therapies that might have saved their lives,” said Dr. Rani Maskatia, a pediatric and adult allergist and immunologist in California.
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Maskatia, who is also medical director with Latitude Food Allergy Care, a network of clinics providing testing and treatment for food allergies, shared with Fox News Digital 10 surprising facts about peanut allergies.
1. A peanut allergy results from an immune system reaction
A peanut allergy develops when the immune system reacts to major proteins found in peanuts as if they are harmful invaders, according to Maskatia.
More than six million people in the U.S. have an allergy to peanuts, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) — and nearly 1.6 million of them are kids and teens. (iStock)
“The immune system fights off the proteins, resulting in a wide range of symptoms, sometimes impacting multiple systems of the body — skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory or cardiovascular,” she said.
2. It’s unclear why peanut allergies are becoming more common
Cases of peanut allergy have steadily increased in recent history, Maskatia said.
“This may result from many variables in our society — from environmental changes to shifts in our diets over the generations and even decades of (now outdated) recommendations to avoid peanut-based foods altogether in very young children,” he said.
3. Peanut allergy reactions are usually the result of accidental ingestion
Despite increased awareness, accidental exposures continue to occur, Maskatia noted.
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“Even if a certain food does not intentionally contain peanuts, cross-contact (i.e., accidental contact with peanuts) can still result in an allergic reaction,” she warned.
4. There are varied symptoms of peanut allergies
An allergic reaction to peanuts can manifest in a wide range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe life-threatening anaphylaxis, according to Maskatia.
An allergic reaction to peanuts can manifest in a wide range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe life-threatening anaphylaxis. (iStock)
Symptoms can include hives; skin redness or swelling; itching or tingling in the throat or mouth; runny nose; red, watery eyes; swelling of the tongue and/or lips; eye swelling; nasal congestion; stomach cramps and/or abdominal pain; diarrhea; nausea or vomiting; difficulty breathing and/or wheezing.
5. Children and adults with peanut allergies are at risk for anaphylaxis
Peanut allergy is the most common allergy associated with anaphylaxis, which is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Signs of anaphylaxis can include pale or bluish tint on the skin, throat constriction, shortness of breath and/or wheezing, difficulty breathing, confusion and/or dizziness, and a weak and rapid pulse.
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“Although fatalities are very rare, if anaphylaxis occurs, access to immediate medical treatment is critical,” Maskatia advised.
“Everyone with a doctor-diagnosed peanut allergy should create an emergency anaphylaxis plan to minimize response time, including carrying two epinephrine auto-injectors accessible at all times.”
6. Testing and diagnosis can begin in infancy
Babies as young as four months old can be tested for peanut allergies, Maskatia noted.
“Testing that includes blood work and skin testing can ensure that diagnoses are as accurate as possible,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Testing that includes blood work and skin testing can ensure that diagnoses are as accurate as possible,” an allergist told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Blood work may consist of specific IgE tests and component testing, which help distinguish which proteins in the peanut a patient might be most likely to react to.”
7. A peanut allergy diagnosis doesn’t always mean all nuts must be avoided
Peanuts are actually legumes, which means other types of nuts — such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and cashews — are often safe to eat, according to Maskatia.
“However, since it is possible to be allergic to both peanuts and to tree nuts and seeds, a clinical evaluation with an allergist is advised,” she said.
Peanuts are actually legumes, which means other types of nuts — such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and cashews — are often safe to eat, according to an expert. (iStock)
“Once the patient has clarity about which foods are allergies, they should freely eat the foods they are not allergic to, ensuring diversity of diet and reducing the risk of future sensitizations to other foods.”
8. An allergic reaction could be triggered by non-food items
Peanut proteins can also be present in vitamins, medications, skin creams, cosmetics, sunscreen, craft materials, toy stuffing, pet food, bird feed and even ant baits or mousetraps, Maskatia warned.
9. An allergy can be outgrown over time
If you suspect you’ve outgrown a peanut allergy, follow-up testing with an allergist is recommended, Maskatia said.
“If an allergist suspects through blood work and skin tests that you might have outgrown the allergy, an oral food challenge may be recommended,” she said.
Peanut allergy is the most common allergy associated with anaphylaxis, which is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. (iStock)
An oral food challenge is a step-by-step process in which the patient — under the supervision of a trained clinician — consumes small amounts of a suspected allergen over a period of three to four hours.
“This is done with the expectation that you’ll be able to consume the peanuts safely,” Maskatia said.
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“Conversely, because peanut allergies can have severe or life-threatening reactions, failing to obtain a clinical diagnosis when there is a suspected history of reaction can present significant health and safety risks,” she warned.
10. Peanut allergies can be treated
Maskatia recommends a treatment called oral immunotherapy (OIT), which she said is approximately 85% effective for single or multiple food allergies and is safe for all ages.
“It is expected that in the next decade, there will be more treatment options for people with peanut allergies.”
“Over time, the OIT process continually exposes the patient to increasing amounts of an allergen,” she said.
“The body is gradually desensitized and learns to adapt to the allergen. This decreases dietary restrictions and increases protection against severe or life-threatening reactions due to accidental exposure.”
Palforzia is an FDA-approved drug for peanut allergy treatment, Maskatia pointed out, and the FDA also recently approved Xolair (omalizumab) for treating all food allergies, including peanut allergy.
“It is expected that in the next decade, there will be more treatment options for people with peanut allergies,” she said.
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Eating processed meat like ham, sausage and bacon may be linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer, according to new research.
While health organizations have already confirmed that processed meat can contribute to colon cancer, this study looked closer at cancers in the upper digestive tract, where the link has historically been less clear.
To understand these connections, researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the world’s largest long-term nutrition and cancer cohorts, tracked the health and diets of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years.
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The study group included 131,426 men and 318,686 women, according to the study’s press release.
During the follow-up period, 876 people developed stomach cancer and 215 people developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
For female participants, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk of developing the disease. (iStock)
Researchers tracked where the stomach cancers grew, separating them into the upper part of the stomach near the throat and the lower part of the stomach.
The researchers also sorted the tumors into two categories based on how the cancer cells appeared under a microscope: intestinal, which forms more organized structures, and diffuse, in which the cells are more scattered throughout the tissue.
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After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that for every extra 30 grams of processed meat a person ate per day, their overall risk of stomach cancer went up by 9%. Eating that same extra 30 grams a day was also linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
A standard single slice of regular deli-sliced ham or lunch meat averages around 28 grams, according to USDA data and nutritional tracking databases.
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken and turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach. (iStock)
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken or turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach, the researchers noted.
The study also revealed differences between men and women. For male participants, only processed meat showed a clear, statistically significant link to a higher risk of stomach cancer. For female participants, however, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk.
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These findings align with global health benchmarks, particularly those established by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The agency has long classified processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to its strong, well-documented links to colorectal cancer.
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However, health organizations have also consistently pointed to a potential, yet less definitive, relationship between these meats and cancers of the stomach.
Eating 30 grams of processed meat a day, or the equivalent to one slice of ham, was linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. (iStock)
Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.
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A key limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported diets, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies in how participants recall their meat consumption over time, the researchers noted.
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The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers requesting comment.
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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