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
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.
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.
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.