Why do people peanut allergies get more special treatment then other food allergies?

Peanuts are more difficult to avoid than mushrooms, they are commonly used in biscuits, candy, cakes. Peanut allergy can be so severe that very tiny amounts can cause a reaction. Because of this, coming into contact with traces of peanut can be enough to cause a reaction in people who are sensitive. For example, someone might come into contact with traces of peanuts from unrefined oils, or when food is served using utensils that have been used with food containing peanuts, or even being close to someone eating peanuts. The increase in the number of people with nut allergy may be due to the better standards of hygiene in the modern world.

Peanut allergies are usually severer -- life threatening. They cause asthma or anaphalactic shock. They can die within minutes, before the EMTs can get there. Other allergies usually are only mild. Like they cause stomach aches or abdominal cramps (like wheat allergies), or they may make a person break out in a rash. At least they won't die suddenly from it. If you or your fellow students have a severe (life-threatening) known allergy to something, like mushrooms, then you need to notify your school so they can try to protect you from accidentally and unknowingly eating one. That's why peanut allergy people are allowed to eat in another room, where they wouldn't eat some accidentally or get close enough to someone eating, say, a peanut butter sandwich, to trigger a reaction. The school is liable (that is, they can be sued) if a child is known to have a severe allergy and the school does nothing to protect them from exposure to it, and the child has an allergic reaction and ends up in the hospital, or dead. As you get older you are responsible for making sure you tell others who prepare food for you or serve food to you (like at the school cafeteria) that you have certain allergies, so they can help look out for your safety. I have a severe allergy to avocados and walnuts, and so I tell my friends who bring food to church potluck lunch that I have these allergies, and they warn me if I'm about to take some food that has it in it. Sometimes I can't tell from looking at it. I often ask what is in something that looks suspiciously like it has nuts in it. Or I simply avoid eating that food and move on to another dish. You or your friends may have allergies your whole life. You don't have to make a big deal out of it if it isn't life-threatening. Strangers don't usually like to hear you brag about what's wrong with you. It sounds like you want extra attention and sympathy. In the end, you are responsible for your own health and safety. Only close friends and food service workers (like the cafeteria staff) are going to be kind and helpful and watch out for your best interests.

This is simply due to the fact that peanuts cause way worse symptoms than other allergens. Even µg amounts of peanuts can cause anaphylaxis, which can lead to death.

More fatalities than any other food allergy.