Peanut allergy: causes, symptoms, remedies, etc.

Some of you may have different allergies. Some have allergies to certain foods, dust allergies, cold allergies, and so on. Food allergies are one of the most common types of allergies. And, one of the foods that most often cause allergies is peanuts. Do any of you have a peanut allergy? Do you know why you can experience it?

What causes a person to have a peanut allergy?

Allergies are related to your immune system. The normal immune system will fight infection from foreign substances that can harm the body. The substances that cause allergies are often called allergens.

Well, in people with peanut allergies, their immune system mistakenly identifies the protein in peanuts. The immune system mistook the protein in nuts for a harmful foreign substance. So, the body will cause an overreaction and release chemicals (such as histamine) into the blood.

This histamine can then affect various tissues in the body, such as the skin, eyes, nose, airway, lungs, digestive tract, and blood vessels. Thus, various reactions occur in the body when the body is exposed to nuts.

Yes, direct or indirect contact with these food allergens can cause the body to release histamine and cause an allergic reaction. This depends on the severity of your allergy.

The body can react when exposed to nuts in a number of ways, such as:

• Direct contact, such as eating nuts or foods containing peanuts. Sometimes, direct skin contact with peanuts can trigger an allergic reaction.
• Cross contact, such as eating food that is exposed to nuts during the manufacturing process.
• Inhaling, Allergic reactions can occur when you breathe in air that contains peanuts, such as from peanut flour. If you inhale peanut protein and enter your body, it can cause an allergic reaction.

This allergy is divided into two types, namely allergies to ground nuts and allergies to tree nuts. Some nuts that are included in tree nuts are almonds, cashews, macademia, and walnuts. Meanwhile, those that grow underground are ordinary peanuts, soybeans, and peas.

People who are sensitive to peanuts are not necessarily sensitive to the allergens in tree nuts. However, they are still at a higher risk of developing allergies to at least one type of tree nut. It is estimated that the risk can increase from 25% to 40 percent.

What happens if a person with an allergy eats peanuts?

Peanut allergy can happen to anyone, both children and adults. A person with this allergy can show an allergic reaction, even if he only eats a few nuts or foods containing peanuts. This allergic reaction can appear from mild to severe, and can even threaten your life, which is called anaphylaxis.

This allergic reaction occurs because the body releases histamine compounds to fight foreign substances. Some of the common reactions that can arise are:

• Skin reactions: hives, red spots on the skin, swelling, and rash
• Respiratory tract reactions: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing
• Reactions in the digestive system: stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps
• Itching around the mouth and throat
• Itchy, watery, or swollen eyes

These reactions can occur minutes to hours after you eat nuts. The reactions that arise may vary between individuals. It all depends on your body. In fact, reactions can appear differently at different times in the same person.

The reactions that arise after consuming nuts of course must be handled immediately. If left untreated, allergic reactions can get worse. Moreover, peanuts are one of the allergens that most often cause anaphylactic reactions or anaphylactic shocks compared to other allergens.

Anaphylaxis is a condition in which you experience an allergic reaction that is similar to a normal allergic reaction but with a more severe condition. In addition, anaphylaxis will be followed by a shock reaction in the form of a drastic drop in blood pressure and swelling in the throat that makes you short of breath. You may lose consciousness because of this reaction.

Who is at risk of experiencing this allergy?

It's not clear why some people are allergic to peanuts and some aren't. However, there are some people who are at greater risk for developing this allergy than others. Some of the risk factors are:

• Age. This allergy is usually more common in children than adults.
• Have had a peanut allergy. Peanut allergies may be overcome by some children in their past. However, it is possible that peanut allergies will recur.
• Have other allergies. If you have an allergy to one food, then your risk for experiencing allergies to other foods will increase.
• There are family members who have allergies. Your risk of developing a peanut allergy increases if someone in your family has allergies, especially food allergies.
• Atopic dermatitis. Some people with atopic dermatitis skin conditions also have food allergies.

How do you deal with peanut allergies?

Source: Focus For Health

Until now, it is not certain whether peanut allergy can be cured and what drugs can eliminate it. The best method that can be done is to avoid all foods that contain allergens. When given drugs for food allergies it only serves to relieve symptoms when an allergic reaction recurs.

Previously, of course, you have to do a check first to diagnose allergies. The test for peanut allergies is the same as for common food allergies. In addition to a physical exam and telling your doctor about your symptoms, you will be asked to undergo further tests such as skin prick tests and blood tests.

After that, take various steps to prevent reactions. Read information about the composition of ingredients before buying a product to make sure there is no peanut content in it, cook food with different tools to avoid cross-contamination from dishes that use legumes.

In preventing a recurrence of allergic reactions, of course, you also need to cooperate with the people closest to you who live with you. Make sure any food storage or cutlery used is safe from food allergens.

Likewise, when you eat at a restaurant, it's a good idea to look at the menu first before choosing a restaurant to visit. If you are not sure, ask the ingredients and how the restaurant chefs prepare food. Say that you have allergies and ask for recommendations for menus that are safe for you.

If you are at risk for a more severe allergy, your doctor may give you an auto injection of epinephrine such as EpiPen. This device is an automatic injection that must be injected into your upper thigh whenever you experience anaphylactic shock. After the injection, you must immediately be taken to the hospital for medical help.

Don't forget to bring this tool with you wherever you go, if necessary, prepare more than one injection of epinephrine and place it in the places you frequent such as your room, study, or car.