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One of the most common causes of severe allergy episodes is peanut allergy. For some people with peanut allergies, even small amounts of peanuts can induce a severe reaction that can be fatal (anaphylaxis).
Peanut allergy is becoming more common among children. Even if you or your child has only experienced a mild allergic reaction to peanuts, you should consult your doctor. There is still the possibility of a more severe reaction in the future.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PEANUT ALLERGY?
Peanut allergies typically manifest within minutes after exposure. Peanut allergy symptoms and indications may include:
- Hives, redness, and swelling, which are examples of skin reactions.
- Itching or tingling in the mouth and throat
- Diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, or vomiting, which are examples of digestive issues.
- Tightness in the throat
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Nosebleed
Anaphylaxis: A potentially fatal allergic reaction
Peanut allergy is the most prevalent cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that necessitates the use of an epinephrine (adrenaline) autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, and others) as well as a visit to the emergency department.
Anaphylaxis symptoms and indications can include:
- Airway constriction
- Swelling of the throat that makes breathing difficult
- A significant decline in blood pressure (shock)
- A quick pulse
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or losing consciousness
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PEANUT ALLERGY?
Peanut allergy arises when your immune system incorrectly recognizes peanut proteins as dangerous. Contact with peanuts, whether direct or indirect, triggers your immune system to release symptom-causing substances into your circulation.
Peanut exposure can occur in a variety of ways:
- Direct contact: Eating peanuts or foods containing peanuts is the most common cause of peanut allergy. Direct skin contact with peanuts can occasionally cause an allergic reaction.
- Cross-contact: This is the unintentional inclusion of peanuts in a product. It is most commonly caused by a food being exposed to peanuts during preparation or handling.
- Inhalation: If you inhale dust or aerosols containing peanuts, such as peanut flour or peanut oil cooking spray, you may develop an allergic reaction.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PEANUT ALLERGY?
Why some people acquire allergies while others do not is unknown. People with certain risk factors, on the other hand, are more likely to develop peanut allergy.
The following are risk factors for peanut allergy:
- Age: Food allergies are very common among children, particularly toddlers and newborns. As you become older, your digestive system matures and your body becomes less prone to respond to allergenic foods.
- Other allergies: If you're allergic to one food, you're more likely to become allergic to another. Similarly, having another form of allergy, such as hay fever, raises your chances of developing a food allergy.
- Allergy sufferers in the family: If you have a family history of allergies, particularly food allergies, you are more likely to develop a peanut allergy.
- Atopic dermatitis: Some persons who have atopic dermatitis (eczema) also have food allergies.
- Peanut allergy in the past: Some peanut allergic children grow out of it. Even if you appear to have outgrown your peanut allergy, it may reoccur.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF PEANUT ALLERGY?
Peanut allergy complications might include anaphylaxis. Children and adults with severe peanut allergies are especially vulnerable to this potentially fatal reaction.
HOW IS PEANUT ALLERGY DIAGNOSED?
The process of diagnosis begins with a discussion between you and your doctor regarding your symptoms and medical history. This discussion is frequently followed by a physical exam. The following are some of the typical next steps:
- Food diary: Your doctor may request that you keep a food diary including your eating habits, symptoms, and medications.
- Elimination diet: If it is unclear whether peanuts are causing your symptoms, or if your doctor suspects you are reacting to more than one type of food, an elimination diet may be recommended. You may be urged to avoid peanuts or other questionable foods for a week or two before gradually reintroducing them into your diet. This procedure can assist in linking symptoms to specific foods. This procedure cannot be utilized if you have had a strong response to eating.
- Skin test: A small bit of food is applied to your skin before being poked with a needle. When you are allergic to something, you acquire a raised bump or response.
- Blood test: A blood test can assess your immune system's response to specific foods by measuring the quantity of allergy-type antibodies, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, in your circulation.
All of this information can help you identify whether you have a peanut allergy or if your symptoms are caused by something else, such as food intolerance.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PEANUT ALLERGY?
While the usual strategy to treating peanut allergy is to limit exposure, researchers are continuing to investigate other approaches, such as oral immunotherapy.
Oral immunotherapy, also known as desensitization, involves gradually increasing doses of peanut-containing food in children with peanut allergies or those at risk of developing peanut allergies. Peanut allergy cannot be cured with oral immunotherapy. Rather, this sort of medication is meant to lessen the risk of severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis, that may occur as a result of peanut exposure.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp (Palforzia) was recently licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat children ages 4 to 17 with a documented peanut allergy. People with uncontrolled asthma or certain disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis, should not take this drug.
Furthermore, like with any food allergy, treatment include avoiding the foods that trigger your reaction, learning how to recognize a reaction when it occurs, and being prepared to respond swiftly, including keeping epinephrine on hand.
Preparing for a reaction
The only method to avoid a response is to avoid all peanuts and peanut products. However, peanuts are prevalent, and despite your best attempts, you will most certainly come into touch with them at some point.
If you have a severe allergic response, you may require an emergency injection of epinephrine as well as a visit to the emergency hospital. Many allergy sufferers have an epinephrine autoinjector on hand (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others). When rubbed against your thigh, this gadget has a syringe and a concealed needle that injects a single dose of medication.
Understand how to utilize your autoinjector
If your doctor has ordered an epinephrine autoinjector, follow these steps:
- Keep it on you at all times: It's a good idea to keep an extra autoinjector in your car and at your workplace.
- Replace it before the expiration date: Epinephrine that is out of date may not operate effectively.
- Request that your doctor prescribe a backup autoinjector: You'll have a backup in case you misplace one.
- Understand how to use it: Request that your doctor show you. Also, make sure those closest to you understand how to use it - if someone nearby can give you a shot, he or she could save your life.
- Understand when to utilize it: Consult your doctor about how to tell when you need a shot. If you are unsure if you require an injection, it is usually best to utilize the emergency epinephrine.
HOW CAN PEANUT ALLERGY BE PREVENTED?
Recent research indicates that exposing at-risk babies to peanuts as early as 4 to 6 months of age may lower their risk of developing food allergies by up to 80%. Babies with mild to severe eczema, egg allergy, or both are at risk for peanut allergy. Before introducing peanuts to your newborn, consult with your child's pediatrician.