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I think more likely to cause anaphylaxis and that very minute quantity is required to do so.

Because most food allergies need to be consumed to cause a reaction, peanuts do not, trace amounts on fingers from a pervious meal then touching a shared you could be enough to 'cause a life threatening reaction in many children with the allergy.

I think it's bc the reaction is usually very severe and life threatening. And it doesn't take much...people don't have to ingest peanuts to react, just being exposed can cause a reaction for many people

I think most other allergies you have to actually eat it to have a reaction

ETA: my good friend says even kissing her husband will cause a reaction

All of the above... peanuts can kill, fast, and doesnt have to be consumed to do so. The rest of it, rash, itchy skin, throwing up... sucks, but wont kill.

It's much easier to suffer an anaphylactic episode with nut allergies because you don't need to eat them in order to cause a reaction. Touch, smell or even touching something that touched the nuts can cause a reaction. Just like with other allergic reactions, it can get more severe with each exposure, but nut allergies can be quite explosive with just the first incident. Plus I think, not sure if it's true, that nut allergies are becoming more common. Also, I think nuts are just not necessary in a daycare setting. Milk, cheese, etc. yes, but not nuts.

ETA I see most people have answered the question, ha! I must be a slow typer.

Because most people who have never had allergies or dealt with them don't understand them (I know I didn't until I had my son). Peanuts have gotten the attention of the news because of the severity of reactions.

There are no government wide rules on food allergies and handling. There has been some recent talk on creating some for schools and preschools/daycares. I believe they have a new recommendation but it is absolutely voluntary.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/pdf/13_243135_A_Food_Allergy_Web_508.pdf

I think it's partially because it's a very common allergen, and partially because there has been a lot of effort to raise awareness of it.

@Adira: I also think there is a perception that most kids grow out of the milk allergy too. I know lots of kids who were allergic in year 1 and then cleared by 15-18 months, so that may cause the lackadaisical attitude.