peanut intolerance and peanut allergies

True Facts about Peanut Allergies

Eating peanuts has been an all time favorite snack among children and adults as well.  In fact, peanuts are considered a healthy snack which offers many essential nutrients and proteins that our body can use.  However, despite the health benefits it can provide for our body, we should take note how they could become seriously deadly for some individuals especially to those with peanut allergies.

Peanut allergy is characterized by a hypersensitivity reaction from ingestion of peanuts or dietary substances from peanuts.  The hypersensitivity reaction affects only the individuals who has food allergy to peanuts and the problem starts when the body reacts negatively thinking that he ingested a harmful agent.  As an act of defense or protection, our body’s immune system produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which attacks the proteins from peanuts thus triggering a release of a chemical substance called histamine.  Histamine release causes the allergy symptoms consistent for wheezing, stomachache, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, itchy hives, and swelling of the lips, throat and skin.  In severe cases of peanut allergy, asthma or constriction of the airways and hypotension may develop causing anaphylactic shock and death.  This life-threatening condition may develop minutes to hours after eating the peanuts and in most cases asthmatics with peanut sensitivity suffer this chronic reaction.  Peanut allergy commonly occurs in the first year of life and although many children can outgrow their allergies to eggs and milk, unfortunately nobody can outgrow peanut allergy even through their adult stages in life.

The causes of peanut allergy are still undefined but it is distinguished that children who have family history of atopic disease or allergies shares genetic risk factors and are susceptible to allergies.  Exposure to peanuts for which can cause allergic reactions are categorized into three ways:

• Direct contact – Eating peanuts or peanut-containing foods, direct contact with peanuts can also trigger an allergic reaction to some individuals
• Cross-contact – exposure to peanuts during processing or handling of a food product
• Inhalation – Inhaling air particles containing peanut flour or peanut oil cooking spray

Peanut Allergy versus Peanut Intolerance

Although Peanut Allergy and Peanut Intolerance are both untoward reactions from ingestion of peanuts, it is difficult to ascertain whether the cause is due to the allergic reaction or from intolerance.  The following principles may guide you to determine the root behind the underlying problem.

• Peanut Intolerance causes minor symptoms such as indigestion or heartburn and does not involve the immune system.
• Peanut allergy is an immune system response which may trigger serious allergic reactions.

Diagnosis of Peanut Allergies

In most cases, when an allergy is suspected as the main cause of the problem, A doctor may recommend consultation with an allergist in which may request for the following diagnostic tests:

• Skin prick test – This test will help determine how the body will react to small amount of liquid extract of allergen rich foods such as peanut.  A little scratch on the skin is made then a small drop of the liquid extract is placed.  A positive result is made when a red, raised spot on the skin appears.
• Blood test – A blood test is made to measure the immune system’s antibodies to peanuts by measuring the amount of antibodies such as immunoglobulin E (IgE).  Overall, this test measures the body’s sensitivity to peanuts.

Peanut Allergy Treatment

Since there is no known specific treatment for Peanut Allergy, the ultimate goal here is avoiding peanuts and any food mixed with nuts.  Reading food labels promotes safety and it instills awareness on how the food is produced since some factories may contain nuts produce.  High risk foods in which individuals with Peanut allergy should avoid may include:

• Cookies and baked goods
• Candy
• Ice cream
• Asian and African foods
• Sauces ( gravy and other sauces which uses nuts to thicken them)

For severe anaphylactic reaction, an emergency injection of epinephrine and a visit to the emergency room is necessary.  Individuals with high risk of developing severe allergic reactions needs to carry a handy epinephrine injectable at all times.  Antihistamine medications help alleviate the mild allergic symptoms of peanut allergies such as skin itchiness.

REFERENCES:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peanut-allergy/DS00710

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_allergy

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/nut_allergy.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2189978_diagnose-peanut-allergy.html