For most people peanuts are merely a delicious and wholesome snack, for others especially young children they represent a constant threat to health. The symptoms of peanut allergy range from merely annoying to life threatening. In fact, while food allergy related deaths are rare peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies to cause death in the U.S. The reason some individuals are allergic is due to their immune system reaction to the proteins found in peanuts. Symptoms of a peanut allergy will show up in various ways as the body overacts to these proteins and releases certain chemicals such as histamine into the blood. Since the body of someone with peanut allergy sees these proteins as a threat it will try to eliminate them.
Symptoms of peanut allergy reaction will be found in the:
• Skin
• Eyes
• Nose
• Nasal passages
• Lungs
• Stomach and intestinal tract
• Blood vessels throughout the body
Most people with peanut allergy only suffer from mild reactions such as rashes, itching or watery eyes, itchy nose or runny nasal passages, diarrhea or constipation, or congested lungs. For these relatively mild irritations, an antihistamine can offer some relief. Antihistamine can be found in over-the-counter medications or can be prescribed by a doctor.
A much more serious reaction the body might have to a peanut allergy is called anaphylaxis. This reaction affects the entire body and can be life threatening. A sufferer having an anaphylaxis reaction may have difficulty breathing and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Some of the symptoms to watch for in anaphylaxis are:
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Swelling of the tongue or lips
• Sudden dangerous dip in blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis reaction to peanut allergy can occur in minutes or hours of ingestion and must be treated as soon as possible. A blood test can show if a person is suffering from peanut allergy. If the allergy is discovered the best course of treatment is usual to avoid all foods containing peanuts or peanut oil. Because of the risk of a serious reaction monitoring peanut allergies is important especially in the case of children with this health concern.