Peanut Allergy Symptoms

In a medical survey, 34 percent of the life-threatening allergic response anaphylaxis was caused by food, spices, or food additives. Usual suspects are shellfish and peanuts. We wanted to share information with you about potentially dangerous peanut allergy symptoms.

Causes

Peanuts are one of the most common and harmful foods which may cause a food allergy to develop. For people with peanut allergies, eating peanuts or foods cooked with peanut products can be very deadly. Their bodies do not have the necessary enzyme required to break down and digest the proteins contained in peanut products. Peanut allergy signs are the body's reaction to peanuts that cannot be digested.

symptoms of peanut allergy

Signs of an allergic reaction range from hives and itching to anaphylactic shock. Indications of illness may begin as a tingling feeling that starts around the corners of the mouth and lip area followed by swelling of the face. A warm sensation is also a common complaint of peanut allergy symptoms.

Other peanut allergy signs include coughing, itchy throat, runny nose, reddening of the skin, nausea, and stomach pain occurring suddenly after ingestion or contact. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur, which causes difficulty breathing, a swelled throat, or a sudden drop in blood pressure. This condition is a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical care. If left untreated, the victim may collapse or lose consciousness.

Most at risk

People from high-risk families where both parents or one parent and a sibling are food-allergic and experience peanut allergy symptoms. Even trace quantities can trigger an attack in peanut-allergic individuals. For example, some people who allergic to peanuts may begin wheezing when a jar of peanut butter is merely opened nearby.

It is important to note that those who are highly allergic may also experience peanut allergy symptoms just by being in contact with another person who has consumed peanuts!

Treatment

If your child has a peanut allergy, to ensure their safety at school or when eating out at restaurants, inquire whether any food is cooked in peanut oil. The smallest amount can send a person who suffers from peanut allergy into an array of symptoms.

Sometimes no matter how careful you are sudden peanut allergy signs may occur. To treat the allergic reaction there is a device known as the Epipen which provides the body with a life-saving injection of adrenaline to fight the toxins of the ingested peanuts. Emergency medical attention is often required for severe allergic reactions. Avoiding peanuts and peanut products is the best preventative measure you can take.

Preventions

Peanuts should never be given to young children to eat because they are easily aspirated into the lungs. Alert teachers and other caregivers if your children have food allergies. Have your child wear a Medic-Alert bracelet to alert medical professionals and others of their food allergy. Older kids should be taught to use syringes of epinephrine to prevent attacks after eating foods to which they are allergic by mistake.

Be vigilant about checking foods for peanut ingredients before eating or serving food to those with allergies. Items such as baked goods are prone to containing nuts. Candy, crackers, ice cream, cereals, and granola bars pose a threat of containing nuts. Asian food often contains nuts or is cooked in peanut oil. The bottom line is to take extreme caution with anyone who suffers from peanut allergy symptoms.

Go to Most-Common-Food-Allergies from Peanut Allergy Symptoms