Sue Huml, IBCLC,  Illinois
Lansinoh Labratories

Just catching up on all the Lactnet posts over the holidays and noticed all the
back and forth regarding child/infant peanut allergy and the relationship to
breastfeeding.

One thing that I did not see mentioned was a possible initial sensitizing to
peanuts, not through the mothers' breastmilk but through direct administration
to the very young infant.

I  have here a copy of an article from the London Daily Telegraph (NOT a
tabloid) July 21st 1996.  which begins " Senior doctors and midwives have warned
breastfeeding mothers that a best selling ointment may trigger a potentially
fatal peanut allergy in children. Specialists have linked  Kamillosan nipple
cream  which contains peanut oil, to an increase in cases of infant peanut
allergies.   (my note: also sold in New Zealand)

Later in the article  Dr. Frankland (a Harley Street specialist who has an
allergy clinic) said, "babies were often sensisised by early exposure to peanut
oil.  Later that could lead to a severe reaction upon their first taste of
peanuts or peanut butter and attacks could prove fatal".  "Children developing
peanut allergy had often been breast-fed by women who used Kamillosan".  "More
than a third of children were susceptible to developing peanut allergies if
exposed to peanut oils while breast-feeding,  the risk is particularly great for
children aged under two".   There were seven deaths between 1991 and 1995.
At the end of the article it does say Norman Barras, medical director of
Norgine (makers of Kamillosan) said " there was no evidence that Kamillosan was
to blame for children developing peanut allergies".

Peanut oil is also named arachis oil.  It is reported that the makers of
Kamillosan are replacing the peanut oil in their ointment with maize (corn) oil
!     -  (my note: some children are allergic to corn too!)

Masse Breast  Cream, a nipple topical  fairly commonly used in the USA , lists
among several ingredients, as it's emollient,  Peanut Oil.  The instructions
also advise  "keep out of the reach of children".

Peanuts can be hard to avoid in the diet, even when one is dilligent about
cookies and candy.  One frequent use of peanut oil is in oriental cooking where
peanut oil is used for stir frying vegetables and meats as it is known for
maintaining high temperature without burning.

Happy New Year to all on Lactnet.
Sue