Maybe it's the mycotoxins IN the peanuts

[Guest guest]

http://www.msnbc.com/news/739112.asp

Severe food allergies in kids on rise

Experts say peanuts responsible for about half the problem

There are about 200 allergy-related deaths per year -- mostly small

children. Watch this report from NBC's Bazell.

By Bazell

NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT

April 15 - Not long ago, severe food allergies were rare. In fact, in 1998,

when the Department of Transportation proposed " peanut-free zones " on

airplanes, many people thought it was a joke. But it turns out to be a huge

and growing health problem - especially for children.

KERRY AND STEVE Boyer remember the moment two years ago when they learned

their son, Paxton, was fighting for his life.

" I got that phone call that mothers dread, or, you know, fear, " Kerry

recalls. " The day-care was calling saying he wasn't breathing. "

It turned out Paxton, who is now 4, was suffering a massive allergic

reaction. The culprit: peanuts.

" His hands were completely swollen, " Kerry Boyer says. " His eyes were

swollen shut. He had the rash all over him. "

The Boyers rearranged their lives to protect Paxton. Now they

carefully check labels on all the food they buy.

" It only takes one mistake and you can find yourself in a bad

situation, " Steve Boyer says.

200 DEATHS IN U.S.

Experts say the incidence of severe food allergies is rising sharply.

In the United States, there are now 30,000 emergency room visits a year and

200 deaths - mostly small children. Peanuts account for about half the

problem.

No one knows why the numbers are up. But one theory holds that,

ironically, it is because kids are healthier these days. Better vaccinations

mean children have fewer illnesses as infants.

So in some children, the immune system overreacts to common

stimulants like the proteins in peanuts.

SOME GOOD NEWS

There is some good news. As doctors have begun to study food

allergies more thoroughly, they've learned that the condition often goes awa

y.

According to Dr. Dan Atkins, an allergist at the National Jewish

Research Center, " We think now that maybe as many as 20 percent of children

outgrow sensitivity to peanuts if they have reactions early on, by the time

they're five to seven. "

Food Allergy FAQs

That's why Paxton visited the clinic at National Jewish Hospital in

Denver, where doctors perform blood tests to determine if children are

getting over an allergy by gradually exposing them to more and more of the

food to which they are allergic.

First, a whiff of peanut butter. No reaction.

Next, Paxton was given some peanut butter to eat - in larger and

larger amounts. He was not happy. " I don't want to do it, " he said.

Within 15 minutes after his second taste, Paxton began to break out

in hives. The doctor quickly treated him to get the reaction under control.

So Paxton was still allergic - though not as badly as before. But his

parents still must be careful, as do millions of others in what is becoming

a growing health threat.

Bazell is NBC's chief science correspondent.