Posted on February 15, 2010.
Do you know what a peanut allergy is? Peanut allergy is a particular type of food allergy that is caused by proteins in peanuts. This food allergy affects the immune system of the body and, in severe cases, the need for emergency treatment with epinephrine. People with this allergy avoid peanuts, peanut particles and peanut oil, even in their diet.
Causes
This allergy is caused by various means, such as the Cross-contact, direct contact and through the air. A person allergic to peanuts direct exposure by eating foods made with peanuts or even through the skin. Cross-contact of the peanut is not intentional, but causes allergic reactions in patients. This occurs mainly by dirty utensils or other kitchen items previously used for the treatment of peanuts, and then used for cooking other food products.
In this way, traces of peanuts happened in other foods and, if eaten by people allergic, may cause an allergic reaction. Even when aerosols based on traces of peanut oil and peanut flour by inhalation, it causes an allergic reaction in people.
Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions
After eating a peanut-based food or even inhaled traces of peanuts, some body shows symptoms of allergic reaction and signs such as stomach pain, itchy eyes, runny nose, tingling or language lips, and a rash with itching. In more severe cases, these symptoms may include a tightening of the throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, urticaria, angioedema and asthma.
Test & Diagnostic
Peanut allergy is diagnosed, either by skin or blood test. In the skin test, a small piece of skin is exposed to minute amounts of peanut protein and whether a hive then developed the test for peanut allergy is positive. For the analysis of blood, immunoglobulin E antibody levels that are specific to a peanut allergy are measured from a blood sample from the patient.
Treatment
There are no approved treatments or therapies for peanut allergy. But after exposure to peanut allergy, people can take a dose of antihistamines. Patients allergic to achieve self-injectable epinephrine for emergencies such as anaphylaxis. By using TNX-901, people with allergies are less prone to allergic reactions, even after the consumption of peanuts in the diet.
Foods to avoid
People with allergies to peanuts should avoid some common foods such as peanut butter, peanut flour, grain, ground or mixed nuts, cereals, bread wheat, sunflower seeds, bars energy and dressings. Even some sweets such as cookies, pastries and ice can cause allergies because of the direct and cross-contact.
Prevention of allergies in infants
If a pregnant woman has an allergy to peanuts, or there is a family history of allergies should avoid all products containing peanuts during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The child must also be kept away from peanut products until age three.
Prevention of allergies in adults
Adults who suffer from a peanut allergy should read the labels on food products before buying. For children, parents should be discouraged from sharing with other foods. In an emergency, you should wear a medical alert ID bracelet with his name, doctor's name and telephone number of an emergency.
Peanut allergy is very common in the United States, more than one million people are affected. So we should take appropriate preventive measures.