Peanut Allergy Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment | Diseases List A-Z

What Is a Peanut Allergy? A peanut allergy is a common condition in which a person’s body reacts to the proteins contained in certain nuts.

Nuts that commonly cause allergic reactions include peanuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios.

Peanut allergies can cause severe, even life-threatening symptoms and affect a person’s quality of life.

A peanut allergy occurs when a person’s immune system perceives the proteins in peanuts as foreign and produces chemicals that damage the body to fight the proteins.

When these substances are released into the blood, they cause allergic symptoms.

An allergy occurs when the body mistakenly identifies nuts as a harmful food.

When you consume nuts, your immune system overreacts, causing a serious, even life-threatening response.

Peanut allergies can occur in people of all ages but are most common in children.

Some people can outgrow a peanut allergy, but for those who are more sensitive, a peanut allergy can cause a very severe reaction.

Nuts that commonly cause allergic reactions include peanuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios.

Additionally, Brazil nuts, filbert nuts, Macadamia nuts, pecans, and cashews can also cause allergic reactions.

If an allergic reaction occurs, it is very important to provide first aid.

Peanut Allergy Symptoms Peanut allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe and can occur within minutes of consuming peanuts or even hours later.

Some common symptoms of a peanut allergy include: Diarrhea Difficulty breathing Skin rash Nausea and vomiting Stomach cramps Swelling, usually on the tongue or lips More severe peanut allergy symptoms such as anaphylaxis can occur within minutes of consuming peanuts.

Anaphylaxis is a very severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Hard to breathe Fast and irregular heartbeat Low blood pressure Cold and pale skin Bloating, nausea, and vomiting Chest pain or discomfort in the chest Death The allergic reactions that appear in each sufferer will be different.

In fact, one sufferer may have different allergic reactions when consuming different types of nuts.

Risk Factors for Peanut Allergy There are several risk factors that can increase a person’s risk of experiencing a peanut allergy.

History of Allergies or Asthma If someone has a history of allergies or asthma, then they have a higher risk of developing a peanut allergy.

People who have a history of other allergies, such as other food allergies, are also at higher risk.

Family History As explained previously, if a family member has a peanut allergy, the risk of peanut allergies in other family members will increase.

Age Children are at higher risk of developing peanut allergies than adults.

However, adults can also experience peanut allergies, especially if they have a history of allergies or asthma.

Gender Several studies have shown that men have a higher risk of developing peanut allergies than women.

Ethnicity Some ethnic groups are at higher risk for developing peanut allergies than others.

For example, Asians, Africans, and Latin Americans Causes of Peanut Allergies The exact cause of peanut allergy is not known for certain.

However, there are several factors that are thought to play a role in the development of this condition.

Genetics Peanut allergies can be passed from parents to their children.

If one or both parents have a peanut allergy, their child has a higher risk of developing a peanut allergy.

Immune System A peanut allergy occurs when the immune system responds to the proteins in peanuts as harmful foreign substances.

The body then produces antibodies to fight these proteins, and each time these proteins enter the body, the immune system releases histamine and other chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.

Early Exposure to Peanuts Early exposure to peanuts can increase a child’s risk of developing a peanut allergy.

Several studies have shown that giving foods containing nuts to babies before the age of 6 months can increase the risk of peanut allergies in the baby.

Peanut Allergy Diagnosis The diagnostic process is carried out by a specialist doctor based on the results of interviews and complaints experienced by the sufferer.

The following are some supporting examinations including: Medical History The first step in diagnosing a peanut allergy is to conduct a medical interview to determine the patient’s allergy history and symptoms.

The doctor will ask about the patient’s allergy history and whether they have had any allergic symptoms after consuming peanuts or foods containing peanuts.

The doctor will also ask for information about symptoms by the patient, such as skin rashes, itching, swelling, nausea, vomiting and even difficulty breathing.

Skin Test Skin testing is one of the most common methods in diagnosing peanut allergies.

The skin test involves injecting a small amount of peanut protein into the patient’s skin and then waiting for a reaction.

If an allergic reaction occurs, the skin will become red and itchy.

Blood Test Blood tests involve taking a sample of the patient’s blood and testing whether they have antibodies to peanut proteins.

This blood test is known as the immunoglobulin E (IgE) test and can help determine whether or not a patient has a peanut allergy.

However, blood tests are not always accurate and cannot determine the severity of the allergy.

Elimination and Provocation Test An elimination test involves removing nuts from the patient’s diet for a period of time to see if symptoms improve.

After that, the patient will be given food containing nuts and then observed to see if the symptoms reappear.

An elimination test can help identify a peanut allergy, but it is not always accurate.

Meanwhile, provocation tests should be performed under medical supervision and involve gradually introducing foods containing peanuts to see if the patient experiences an allergic reaction.

This test can help identify the severity of the allergy and help the doctor plan the appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic Tools There are also several tools that can help in the diagnosis of peanut allergies.

Peanut Allergy Detector A peanut allergy detector is a device that can detect peanut proteins in food and beverages.

This tool works by measuring the levels of peanut protein in food or beverage samples.

If the protein content of the peanut is high, then the food may contain peanuts and could potentially cause an allergic reaction.

Epinephrine Auto-Injector This is a device used to administer epinephrine injections in an emergency Peanut Allergy Symptoms Prevention To prevent the emergence of allergic reactions to nuts, here are some steps you can take: Read the packaging labels before purchasing groceries.

Ask the restaurant waiter before ordering food.

Do not breathe air containing peanut residue.

Wear a bracelet stating if your child has a peanut allergy.

Carry medications such as antihistamines with you wherever you go to treat mild allergic reactions.

Carry an epinephrine shot with you wherever you go to treat severe allergic reactions.

Peanut Allergy Treatment Medications can help reduce the symptoms of a peanut allergy.

Here are some medications your doctor may prescribe to treat a peanut allergy: Antihistamines Antihistamines can help reduce allergy symptoms, such as itching, skin rashes, and nasal congestion.

Some examples of available antihistamines are cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine.

Corticosteroids These compounds can help reduce inflammation and swelling caused by peanut allergies.

Corticosteroids are available in pill or injection form.

Some examples of corticosteroids are prednisone, triamcinolone, and dexamethasone.

Epinephrine This compound is a drug used to treat serious allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis.

Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and increasing heart rate, thereby helping to reduce symptoms such as shortness of breath, itching, and swelling.

.