A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a common staple in most children’s diets. “The kids like it, it’s high in protein and at that age the mothers are looking for anything the child will tolerate,” says Dr. Larry Castillo an Allergist and Immunologist with Lee Memorial Health System.

He also says now many kids aren’t able to tolerate peanut butter because of strong allergic reactions. “There’s no question that peanut allergies are on the rise and especially in developed countries and it’s quite a bit I mean it’s a significant rise.” Right now more than 1.5 million Americans suffer from peanut allergies and the reactions to the food can vary from annoying to life-threatening. “It could be anything from hives to hives and swelling where you have difficulty breathing, hives, wheezing, and swelling of the tongue.”

Dr. Castillo adds that he believes that one reason the allergy is on the rise is because parents are introducing peanuts into a child’s diet too early. “The academy of pediatrics and the academy of allergy and immunology and recommends to wait until at least age three before you introduce peanuts.” It’s advised that parents not feed their children less than three years old tree nuts like cashews, almonds, and pecans.

Right now the only way to prevent an allergic reaction to peanuts is simply to avoid eating any food that includes or is made from peanuts.