Peanut allergy affects 1.3% of the general US population (medicine). 150 deaths each year caused by food allergies and 50% of them are resulted from peanut allergy (US news). The allergic reaction to peanuts usually occurs within minutes after exposure. The common routes of exposure are:
- Direct contact: Eating peanut is the most common cause. Sometime, skin contact with peanuts can also trigger an allergic reaction.
- Cross-contact: Parents need to read all the labels if their child has peanut allergy. Peanuts contamination may occur during processing or handling of a food product in a food process facility which uses peanuts or peanut oil as a component for other products.
- Inhalation: It is caused by dust or aerosols containing peanuts, such as peanut oil cooking spray or peanut flour.
The common symptoms in mild cases of peanut allergy include:
- Skin redness, hives or swelling.
- Itching or tingling in or around the throat and mouth.
- Diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting
- Tightening of the chest
- Wheezing, shortness of breath.
- Running or stuffy nose.
Anti-histamine can be used for treating mild peanut allergies.
The life-threatening condition, anaphylaxis, occurs in most cases of peanut allergy, that can block airways and breathing. Parents of an allergic child or infected individuals should carry Epi-pen all the time. Check the expiration date of Epi-pen and make sure that it is not expired. Renew prescriptions regularly.
- Swollen throat that makes difficult to breath.
- Anaphylaxis shock with a drop in blood pressure.
- Arrhythmia
- Loss of consciousness
- Inject epinephrine using (EpiPen, twinject) immediately.
- Seek emergency treatment
Some peanut allergy patents are also allergic to tree nuts. There is a small percentage of children may grow out of peanut allergy, parents should take their child to test allergens later to know child's allergens in a hospital visit. Do not test your child at home by yourself. Professions in hospitals or clinics can provide emergency care if a bad reaction occurs.
It is a myth of increase in peanut allergies in recent decades. It is controversy that should a pregnant woman eat peanuts or peanut products. March of Dimes says "Yes" if the mother is not allergic to peanuts. But there are some reports saying, No.
Immune tolerance to peanuts in children may be induced. An experimental therapy conducted by Duke Medical Center in which they feed children small amount of allergen (peanuts) daily in hospital (US news). It is good news to peanut suffers, but parents should try it at home; it can be only performed by medical centers. In addition, the safety and result needs to be confirmed in a big scale of study.
Peanut allergy is a terrifying disease. Parents of an allergic child should be very careful about the food given by others such as: sample food in the supermarket, snacks from play dates, good bags from birthday parties. Read compositions carefully and ask the person who provides the unlabeled food, or eat first by yourself, to make sure there is no peanut before you feed your child. It is a matter of life and death, ignorance is not an option.
More information on peanut allergy:
MayoClinic : peanut allergy
Peanut allergy-overview (webmed)
Nut and peanut allergy (kidshealth.org)
Peanutallergy.com: peanut allergy prevention
For people without peanut allergy, enjoy peanuts and other nuts. They are good for you.
