I remember when I was growing up in the 1970’s (ahem) that no one had allergies, let alone an allergy to peanuts.  Now, if you go to a school, you’ll see “nut-free classrooms” and “nut tables” in the cafeteria.

Visit the school nurse’s office these days, and you’ll see epi pens everywhere along with a binder full of names of children that may require them.

Peanut allergies are no laughing matter.  They can be deadly very quickly, causing sudden anaphylaxis upon exposure to even dust or oil from peanuts.

Peanutallergy.com reports that 1% of the American population has an allergy to peanuts, while 4% of children are allergic to peanuts.  This means that the incidence is rising in the pediatric population.

So what is a parent to do?  One thing is to learn the soft signs of a compromised immune system that Epidemic Answers lists.  Be on the lookout for projectile vomiting, cradle cap, colic, diaper rash, red ears after eating, chronic runny nose, chronic constipation, a distended “pot” belly and more in your baby or toddler.