A severe reaction to peanuts that can lead to death is called a peanut allergy. So, both adults and children need to take care of it carefully to avoid anaphylaxis. This article talks about the symptoms of peanut allergies and their treatment.
- What Is Peanut Allergy?
According to a 2018 report, 25% of children with food allergies have peanut allergies, which impact 1.2% of Americans on average and are the most prevalent food allergy in children. When someone is allergic to peanuts, their body makes IgE antibodies that are specific to peanuts. If the person eats peanuts, it causes a reaction when these antibodies meet them. The body then sends out chemicals that cause inflammation, such as histamine, cytokines, and chemokines, which cause allergy symptoms.
Some people who are allergic to peanuts can have severe symptoms if they eat even a small amount. Also, eating peanuts could be deadly for some people. So, a person with a peanut allergy needs to know how to take care of their allergy and treat any symptoms.
- Peanut Allergy Vs. Tree Nut Allergy
Peanuts are a type of plant called a legume. They grow underground and are in the same family as peas and lentils. So, they don't belong in the same group as tree nuts like walnuts and almonds, which also grow on trees. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says that 30% of people who have an allergy to peanuts also have an allergy to tree nuts. But being allergic to tree nuts doesn't mean that a person is also allergic to peanuts.
If you are allergic to tree nuts, you should see a doctor find out if you are also allergic to peanuts.
- Signs Of an Allergy to Peanuts
- hives
- wheezing
- tongue or lip swelling
- vomiting
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- pale or blue coloring of the skin
- diarrhea
- stomachache
- cough,
- a tight feeling in the throat, or a hoarse voice
- weak pulse
- dizziness
- confusion
Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that needs medical help right away. Anaphylaxis can come on quickly and get worse quickly, which can send a person into shock. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) says that the first signs of anaphylaxis may be mild, like a runny nose, a rash, or a strange feeling. But these signs can quickly lead to much worse ones, such as:
- trouble breathing,
- tight throat and a hoarse voice
- pain in the stomach
- diarrhea
- feeling dizzy or fainting
- hives or swelling
- low blood pressure
- fast heart rate
- sense of doom,
- heart attack
People who are allergic to peanuts should carry an epinephrine auto-injector to treat anaphylaxis. Sometimes, two injections are needed to get rid of symptoms. If someone sees someone having anaphylaxis, they should call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.
- How To Handle and Treat
People with peanut allergies should stay away from peanuts and anything that has peanuts in it. People who are allergic to peanuts should also stay away from products that have become contaminated during the making process. The ACAAI says that many people who are allergic to peanuts can safely eat foods that contain highly refined peanut oil, which has been cleaned and the peanut protein taken out of it. But people should stay away from cold-pressed or unrefined peanut oil because it can make them sick. A drug called Palforzia, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2020, is another option for people between the ages of 4 and 17. If a person is 18 or older, they can keep taking the medicine.
Palforzia is a type of immunotherapy that is taken by mouth. Its goal is to reduce allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis, if a person accidentally eats peanuts. The medicine is made from peanuts and is a powder. A person pours the powder into a semisolid food, like applesauce, that they can eat. People who take this medicine should continue to stay away from peanuts. If someone is thinking about taking this medicine, they should talk to an allergist first.
- How To Manage a Reaction
If someone has a severe reaction like anaphylaxis, the first thing to do is give them epinephrine. Because of this, a person with a peanut allergy should always have an injectable dose with them. In the case of anaphylaxis, doctors may also give fluids through an IV and ask the person to stay in the hospital overnight until they are stable. Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators may also be used by a doctor to treat peanut allergy symptoms. But these medicines don't help with anaphylaxis.
The goal is to keep someone from having a reaction if they eat peanuts by accident or to get them used to them so they can eat them safely. But people who are allergic to peanuts shouldn't try this at home.
- Causes Of the Reaction
Some people have IgE-mediated responses to peanuts, which lead to a chain reaction of inflammation and allergic reactions. Research shows that the plant's defense system may have caused the proteins in peanuts to change into possible allergens. Babies who have severe eczema or are allergic to eggs are more likely to become allergic to peanuts. Food Allergy Research and Education also say that younger siblings of kids who are allergic to peanuts may also be at a higher risk.
- How A Peanut Allergy Is Diagnosed
Experts say that a doctor may look at a patient's medical history and examine them physically to figure out if they are allergic to peanuts. They may ask what kind of food they eat and how much, as well as what other symptoms they have.
A skin prick test can be done by a doctor or an allergist. A doctor will put a drop of peanut extract on the skin and poke it, usually on the arm or back, to do this. They may also check the blood serum for IgE antibodies to peanuts. A doctor may also do an oral food challenge on someone whose history of peanut allergy isn't as clear. They might ask someone to eat peanut protein and watch them closely. When someone has anaphylactic shock, it can affect their central nervous system, which can make them pass out or stop their heart. Experts say that having an allergy to peanuts can also make eczema worse.
- When To Go to The Doctor
If someone thinks they might be allergic to peanuts, they should talk to their doctor, who can test them. If a person has signs of anaphylaxis or an extreme allergic reaction to peanuts, they need to go to the emergency room right away. If they don't, they could die. Most people with a peanut allergy have it for life. But about 20%Trusted Source of people who have an allergy to peanuts when they are young will eventually be able to eat them. If a person with a peanut allergy eats peanuts, it can kill them. So, people should avoid peanuts and make sure they have an epinephrine auto-injector with them at all times.
- Can Someone Stop Having an Allergy To Peanuts?
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says that peanut-containing foods should be added to a person's diet as soon as possible. This may be especially important for babies who already have eczema or a food allergy, like an egg allergy. A peanut allergy is an allergic reaction that can make it hard to breathe or even cause hives. It can be life-threatening. If someone has anaphylaxis after eating peanuts, they need to see a doctor right away and get an epinephrine shot as their first treatment. People with peanut allergies should not eat foods that contain peanuts or breathe in peanut particles. A doctor may tell them to carry an epinephrine device that can be injected. Children with other allergies are more likely to be allergic to peanuts, and experts say that giving peanuts to children at a young age might stop them from becoming allergic.