Peanut Allergy & Race

The only thing that comes to mind is that I remember reading that the occurance of PA is lower in Asian countries than in the US. (I don't have a reference to this tho, sorry.) I recall some speculation is that this is somehow related to the dry-roasting process used here... not necessarily an ethnic predisposition.
But that's the only race related info I can recall ever reading... I'm interested if anyone is aware of any other.
Gail

It seems to be more common in Caucasians. Considering the amount of peanuts they use in some Asian countries (ie: Thailand), if you were allergic to peanuts you probably would die at a very young age - you can't avoid them as they seem to be in everything.

I really don't believe that it has anything to do with "race", (race itself being a myth but that's another discussion altogether.) I believe that it has more to do with whether or not you were born in an industrialized nation.

Interesting question. When my Pediatric Allergist first saw us he automatically thought my daughter was the one w/ the peanut allergy. She has strawberry blonde hair and a light complexion. He said that children who have Ukranian or Celtic descent are more likely to have food allergies. It is very interesting seeing my husband is from Russia and had ancestors from the Ukrain. It is actually my son w/ the food allergies who also has a light complexion but brown hair. My husband also had food allergies as a child, but luckily outgrew them in adulthood. Anyone else heard this?
[This message has been edited by robinlp (edited April 14, 2003).]

I have heard that all atopy is more common among fair skinned, light haired, light eyed people, which would certainly explain the Celtic connection. We are of mostly Eastern European background - very fair, dark hair (except for Kevin who is blonde) and light eyed - and atopic as all get out.
I think there is a thread on this somewhere - I'll try to find it and bump it up. It may have been included in "Are We All Related?".
Amy

Hi Cathlina,
Rather than a slight genetic difference between "races", I would say there is a slight genetic differnce amongst humans.
For example, I have blue eyes, my brother has green eyes ... this is a genetic difference.
An Italian and an Asian may share the same gene for black hair, for which I do not have - so rather than between the races, I would state the genetic difference is between individuals.

Very good point, erik!
Individuals are all different, although there are some disorders/diseases which do effect specific races almost exclusively(such as sickle cell anemia).
You could take my mostly Irish/Cherokee son (PA, Asperger's, Asthma) and compare him to my old neighbor's child of the same age, who was African American, and other than their skin color, you would have thought they were twins. They were both extremely tall for their age (my son is now 4'8" tall at 7), both had asthma and eczema, both had the same distractiblily, speech problems, emotional issues, etc.. They were so close, because you couldn't get two kids more ALIKE then they were. And together, they actually understood each other, whereas I don't think either of them had ever understood or been understood by the rest of society.
So, whenever the government or some ridiculous survey asks me what 'race' I am, I always check 'other' and write HUMAN. I actually got in a heated argument with my local county when applying for a marriage license a few years back. Unfortunately, they won and wrote 'white' down. I was so mad, I yelled 'I AM NOT WHITE. I AM A MUTT. A HAPPY HUMAN MUTT!" Didn't change anything, but still....
~Melanie

Quote:Originally posted by MeCash:
[b]So, whenever the government or some ridiculous survey asks me what 'race' I am, I always check 'other' and write HUMAN[/b]
Hi Melanie,
Great post! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by MeCash:
I always check 'other' and write HUMAN.
~Melanie
Perfect, Melanie! I hope you don't mind if I use that myself!