Why nut allergy sufferers should be always be wary of the surfaces around them

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People who suffer with an allergy to peanuts or other kinds of nuts know to be extra careful with many things, given how dangerous an allergic reaction can be. Allergy parents are all vigilant about nuts being present in things like foods and in enclosed spaces but it's worth all of us remembering that even seemingly clean surfaces can pose a threat. According to one study, the allergens in peanuts can last on surfaces for up to 110 days. What's more, the strength of the allergens doesn't diminish over time, meaning they could provoke just as severe a reaction months afterwards. Researchers seeking to find out how robust the allergen was smeared a very small amount (five ml) of peanut butter on a plastic-topped table in five separate locations. Each of these were tested a number of times over the 110 days of the study and each time it was found that the allergens were as potent as ever. "Peanut allergen is very robust," reads the study. "Active cleaning of peanut-contaminated surfaces easily removed peanut residue and allergen. Regular cleaning of surfaces before and after eating should be reinforced as a safety measure for all individuals with peanut allergy." It's also recommended that surfaces be cleaned thoroughly using a cleaning agent rather than just wiped. This conclusion mightn't come as a surprise to people with experience of an allergy but it's a reminder to the rest of us that a seemingly innocuous spill or smear in a public place could be very dangerous for others.