To those afflicted with a peanut allergy, even ingesting or inhaling a trace of the legume can be life-threatening.

Between 0.5 and 1 percent of all Americans are allergic to peanuts, and most of the 125 deaths every year from food allergies are due to peanut allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Some doctors attribute the rising number of peanut allergy cases to the popularity of peanut products as an early childhood snack. Young children are given peanut butter sandwiches and crackers to eat before their immune systems can fully develop which, in some cases, may spur the onset of the allergy.

Accidental exposure to peanuts is quite common, especially for allergic children. There are movements in many regions to eliminate peanuts and peanut products from public areas -- like schools and airplanes.

An allergic reaction to peanuts is marked by hives, wheezing and diarrhea in its milder form, leading sometimes to a sudden drop in blood pressure and even death.

Be On Guard

How can those afflicted with this allergy fight back?

Be on your guard. If you buy food at a store, read the ingredients to make sure that it doesn't contain any type of peanut product. And if you're eating out, be sure to double-check that anything you order is peanut-free.

Be especially wary of bakery products and ice cream, which can be easily contaminated, and avoid mixed nuts altogether -- possibly all nuts. Companies must list everything that goes into their products, but FDA rules say that trace amounts of "natural" ingredients can be left out -- which isn't uncommon.

If you have a child with the allergy, be sure that everyone who cares for the child -- baby-sitters, teachers, school nurse, school cafeteria, even your child's friends and their parents -- are aware of the allergy and its severity. The child should also be taught to question any food they buy or are given.

An allergic person should wear a Medic Alert bracelet and should consult a doctor about whether the allergy is severe enough for an epinephrine injection to be carried in case of an emergency.