How to Test for Allergy to Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is both a commonly enjoyed food and a common allergen. A peanut allergy frequently appears during childhood and usually becomes a lifelong problem. Some allergic people only experience mild reactions to peanut products, such as skin irritation, itching, digestive problems, and a runny nose, but others can have life-threatening reactions. If you suspect you or your child is allergic to peanuts, see a doctor promptly. People who have had a mild reaction to peanut products are more likely to have a severe reaction in the future.

Instructions

• 1

  See a doctor to have an allergy skin test performed. You may be referred to a specialist in allergies. The doctor will prick the skin on your back or arm and expose it to a small amount of peanut protein. If a bump develops where the skin was pricked, an allergy to peanut butter and other peanut products is likely, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

• 2

  Talk to your doctor about having a blood test to diagnose a peanut allergy. A blood sample can be taken and analyzed to determine the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the bloodstream, which can provide evidence of a peanut allergy, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• 3

  Consider a food challenge if your doctor thinks it is necessary. This test involves eating a small amount of peanut butter or another peanut product while at a doctor's office. This test must be performed under a doctor's supervision because of the risk of a serious allergic reaction.