A peanut allergy is an immune response to proteins in the peanut when it is digested, handled or when particles are inhaled. It is common in young children and is less likely to be outgrown. Symptoms usually occur within minutes and can be mild or life threatening.

There are people who suffer from peanut allergies and others who have a peanut intolerance. An intolerance does not involve the immune system and the symptoms are less severe. A small amount of peanuts may even be consumed when someone has an intolerance however, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

A peanut allergy is not the same as a tree-nut allergy. Peanuts grow from the ground and therefore are in a different nut family than tree nuts.  A person can be allergic to either peanuts or tree nuts and sometimes to both.