in thinking there is a conspiracy about peanuts?

[VeggySausage]

Because if they really are a "legume" and not a "nut" how come I have never met anyone allergic to any other legume...but loads of people have other nut allergies.

That and they come in a hard shell. And are quite obviously to any one who can eat/taste/see them nuts.

I am not am I?

Is this a joke? If so - hhmmm. I see where you're coming from, but it's not really a joking matter, given that anaphylactic shock KILLS people.

If you're serious: wow. YABU. And ridiculous. Allow me to educate you.

I know three people who are allergic to peanuts and other legumes - e.g. peas, lentils and soybeans.

Peanuts are legumes, not nuts. They do not grow on trees, unlike nuts. Many people have allergies to tree nuts but not to peanuts, and vice versa. Many people with peanut allergies are allergic to some or all other legumes.

Just google "legume." It's a scientific classification; it's not merely a piece of linguistic pedantry ffs!

My DH a severe allergy to peas, chickpeas, lentils and broad beans. His mouth itches, then swells and he goes a bit purple. Can't even cook them as the steam makes him wheeze.
Some cakes and donuts have something in them which makes him react but we're not sure what.
It's a real pain as pea proteins are used as thickeners in loads if things so everything has to be read before it bought.

Lots of people are allergic to legumes it's just that peanut is the most common allergy and can cause allergic reactions through airborne particles.
If you have ever witnessed somebody have a severe allergic reaction to peanut then you would realise how crass your post is.

pips really? Broad beans? Never heard of anyone being allergic to that sort of thing! Is he sure it is legume additive that he is allergic to in cakes and not another allergen? Or iis the pea a thickener in the fillings maybe? That must be a nightmare for him!

FFS (not directed at pips) i am not mocking people with allergies even a little bit. I was just pondering legume vs nut.

There is nothing to ponder. They are related to peas, and if you leave peas and beans to carry on growing [guess what] their pods become brittle and crack, just like peanuts.

Do they?
hmmm

How come you don't have to refrigerate peanut butter? But you have to with hummous?

actually that's probably because the chickpeas are cooked.

Maybe there is no conspiracy. I atill think peanuts are weird though.

I am allergic to peanuts and all other tree nuts and fish. No problem with any other legume that I know of. I have often wondered why I am allergic to peanuts and no other legumes though so your question is not altogether unreasonable. Perhaps there is a scientific reason for it. Any scientists out there that may be able to shed some light.

You are definitely NUTS, OP.

Ds is asletgic to sesame seeds and treenuts. He was allergic to peanuts but grew out of it but seems to have grown allergic to chick peas

I agree that it could be construed as a little odd as I am allergic to peanuts and other true tree nuts (such as walnuts and brazil nuts) but not to other legumes - thank god, as I LOVE peas!

I have also never met anyone who is allergic to legumes, as far as I know, and I would have said that's because they are easier to avoid until I read Pipsmilkmaid.

FWIW - I read your OP as a light-hearted pondering rather than genuine disbelief or accusation of pedantry. Not sure that came across to everyone though, so perhaps worth clarifying...

wonders if it's time for a 'lighthearted' icon to add to threads

I imagine the fat content in peanut butter is another reason it doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Pips have you looked at possibility of lupin allergy? Lupin flour is used in some pastries and cakes and things and is a legume and studies have shown cross reactivity with people who are allergic to peanuts.

I don't know a lot about it but just thought I'd mention.

There are loads on the allergy board allergic to legumes. My DS was allergic to peanuts, lentils, chickpeas, beans and soya. He seems to be outgrowing most except the peanuts and beans.

Sorry pips meant to say apparently lupin flour isn't used as much in the UK as other countries so may not be very likely.

Dd was at the hospital for her allergy skin prick test

dr: the blood test shows she does have some kind of allergy we will do a skin prick test but I dont think she will require epi pens.

skin prick test all clear except mild reaction to dust mites and the peanut reaction.

dr here is a prescription for 4 epi pens. Never leave the house without 2 of them and (generic name for) piriton!

The test site swelled to the size of 2 adult thumb prints.

I dont make her take her kit everwhere for the kicks!

I read the OP as the 'conspiracy' is in labelling them legumes when they act like nuts, particularly in terms of allergies. Not saying that peanut allergies are a conspiracy.

It's interesting though isn't it, how some things are allergy prone and others aren't. I mean, I know you can be allergic to anything but there are some relatively common allergies (peanuts, nuts, latex, shellfish come to mind) whereas others aren't (don't know anyone that's allergic to paper for example). I guess if you could answer why that is, you'd be going some way towards curing allergies.

I imagine you do know people who are allergic to legumes - they just didn't feel the need to tell you.

My mum is allergic to kidney beans. I doubt she's told very many people that though.

And the reason peanut is counted in with the nuts in allergy terms is that the proteins are similar to tree nuts so common to be allergic to both. Soya protein is very similar to Cow's milk protein which is why ts common for children with CMPA to also be allergic to soya.

Yes Veggy he found out about the broad beans a year or two ago. He likes to be different I guess.
I'll have a look into the flour Nugget it's only cakes from one shop so I'll ask if they use it when I'm next there thanks for the tip.

No problem pips hope you get it figured out.

In some places in the world peanuts, groundnuts are a staple diet I wonder what happens to those people if they are allergic.

There are theories about that sonlypuppyfat as there seems to be the problem with peanut allergies there.
One is that roasting peanuts are more likely to make them allergenic and in countries where they are a staple diet they tend to be boiled or fried. They are also now looking at introducing peanuts earlier into weaning and the first results of the LEAP study are due this year and the EAT study sometime next year.