Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Every single one of my nephews (4 of them - on my side, not DHs) have a peanut/tree nut allergy. My sister gave my youngest nephew (2yo) a little bit to try today and he had a bad allergic reaction. THANK GOD she only gave him a tiny bit to test it out.

I am now super nervous about nuts and my DS. He is only a baby and won't be eating any nuts for a long time, but are the chances of him having this allergy any higher than a normal child? Could this allergy be genetic snce they all have it, or is it just a coincidence?

I'm going to ask his ped and I'm trying to find info online, but wanted to ask this question here as well. TIA!

Message edited 8/24/2011 1:32:24 PM.

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

I would say yes. My nephew has life threatening food allergies(nut, dairy and egg-used to be allergic to certain meats as well) His brother is allergic to egg and his sister is not allergic to anything.

I have twins-one has bad environmental allergies the other has food allergies(nut and egg)

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

I am not sure. DS is allergic to bananas, kiwis and avocados. I was never allergic to anything, until I gave birth to DS. Now you guessed it, I am allergic to bananas, kiwis, avocados and all adhesives (e.g. band aids, stickers, tapes). I can have stickers on my fingers for a few seconds but need to wash my hands really well. If they are on me for a few minutes I will start to bleed.

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

My 'feeling' is that there is a genetic component. My FIL, DH and DD all have nut allergies DD1 also has other food and enviornmental allergies.
My FIL's birthplace is India, DH spent his infancy there - so I most always laugh when 'people' say it's an American phenomen (sp?).
My second DD does not have nut allergies, but as a precaution, we avoid.

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Interesting! Thanks for responding ladies.

Food allergies are just SO scary!

I seriously think the fact that all 4 of them have it is in some way genenic, but it's crazy bc no one else in my entire family has any food allergies!

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Posted by Maria31

Interesting! Thanks for responding ladies.

Food allergies are just SO scary!

I seriously think the fact that all 4 of them have it is in some way genenic, but it's crazy bc no one else in my entire family has any food allergies!

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

I don't know if they can prove its genetic, but there is something being passed along the family lines, and its something you need to bring up to your ped, so he can advise you what to do. Because allergies do seem to run in families, there are genetic theories as well as mitochondrial theories.

I would expect a cure for cancer before we even begin to understand why allergies happen in some people and not others.

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Just was at the allergist yesterday with my 17 month old. Dr said the ability to be allergic is passed down but not what you are allergic to.

For example, I am allergic to cats and pollen. LO is allergic to dogs, eggs and peanuts. I am so nervous about this but hoping he can be the 20% to outgrow it. will retest when he is 3

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

I was told by my allergist that certain allergies are genetic.He specifically said shellfish and peanut. I have a severe shellfish allergy and was told not to give my kids until they were either tested or old enough to be able to tell you they were having trouble breathing etc.

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Our allergist said that a parent having a food allergy increases the odds that a child will be allergic...he had some percentage, but I forget. DH is allergic to shellfish and DS is allergic to milk, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and egg whites, but NOT to shellfish. DD has no allergies that we know of, but I haven't given her shellfish or nuts. She was tested at 1 year old and was negative for all, BUT DS was tested at 18 months and was negative for nuts and when I gave him PB he reacted and since has tested positive for nuts. So...hesitant to give her either in case she might now be allergic.

Re: Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy - Genetic or Coincidence?

Well here is what my allergist has to say - If you have a parent with a food allergy your risk of developing A food allergy goes up 60%. Now both DH and I have had some or have some food allergies in our lives.

DD#1 woke back in Feb covered head to foot in hives with facial swelling. We don't have a complete list yet b.c the allergist doesn't want to test her for a thousand thing BUT she is allergic to milk, crab, shrimp, oranges, chocolate and strawberries.

Coincidence or not - DH is allergic to crab, and when he was a child tested positive for chocolate and oranges but he always ate them anyway. My father is allergic to strawberries.

As far as the nut allergies - if he is at risk for food allergies - nuts are one of the top food allergies (milk, nuts, shellfish) so it isn't surprising if they happened to have the same allergy since it is such