At present more and more people are being surprised to know that there are 0.5% to 1% of Americans have an allergy towards peanuts and the number is increasing. In fact there are some school canteens that are now offering peanut-free foods. This article will guide parents as well as teen about peanut allergy and for them to know the symptoms and prevention of this condition.

What causes allergies to foods like peanuts?

Food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system disallows a particular food to enter to the system. In the occasion that the person has an allergy, the immune system will react to the proteins found in peanut. Usually these forms of protein from peanut can be found whether it is uncooked or cooked peanuts and peanut oils. Everybody can have peanut allergy. However, it is more common for those individual who have asthma, food allergy, hay fever, eczema and if they have a family history.

Why do peanut allergies get special attention?

Peanut allergies is not a simple type of food allergies because it can be life-threatening especially those person who have an extreme peanut allergy. It means when a person who are more sensitive to peanut must to eat peanut to avoid the critical allergic reaction of peanut allergy.

For example, a person with severe peanut allergy could have a reaction from:

  • Touching a certain surface wherein peanut butter and peanuts had been
  • A simple inhalation of the tiny particles from peanuts in the air (as example, when someone has opened a jar of bag of peanuts)

As there are many ways that an extremely allergic individual can have a contact with peanuts, it is best to plan carefully on how to avoid them from peanuts as much as possible.

It is also essential to remember that some people with peanut allergy are not that sensitive. For them the only thing to do is prevent them from eating foods that contain peanuts to avoid allergic reactions.

What are the most common symptoms of peanut allergy?

The following are some of the usual signs of peanut allergy:

  • hives or itchy rash
  • wheezing/ coughing
  • watery eyes/runny nose
  • tingling of the lips or mouth
  • narrowing of the throat
  • stomach cramps/vomiting/nausea/diarrhea

What is a serious reaction called?

Anaphylaxis is the most serious reaction to peanut allergy. Anaphylaxis is a certain condition wherein the person who has been exposed to peanut or other foods that can cause them an allergy may experience a sudden changes of heart rate, breathing and function of the body. It can also happen together with other signs like wheezing, rash, stomach cramps as well as swelling of the throat. Anaphylaxis may happen within seconds or minutes upon exposing to the allergen. If your love one experience this reaction, it is best to seek medical treatment at once because it can be life-threatening. It is best to call 911 to assure the life of your love one.

An individual who have peanut allergy must have a treatment plan in the event that they encountered a certain allergens. It is also very important that their teachers and friends know their condition so that that know what to do in an instance of emergency. It is also essential that the person with peanut allergy must always bring an autoinjector that is created as a first aid for them. This device is usually known as Twinject® or EpiPen®. This device is being prescribed by the physician and they can advice the person how to use it.

What is the treatment for peanut allergy?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for peanut allergy. The only way to prevent peanut allergy is by avoiding foods that have peanut. Majority of thee people who have this condition can have it for their lifetime. However, there are also some cases wherein the child overgrows their allergy. In the occasion that it’s been years since your last reaction, the physician can repeat the allergy testing through food challenge to determine if you have overgrow the allergy. However, always remember that do not do the food challenge to your house, it should be done at the doctor’s office or the hospital. If there’s no symptom shown, it means you have outgrown the peanut allergy.

How do I know if a food has peanuts in it?

Included in some foods that are evident sources of peanut are candy bars, mixed nuts and peanut butter. However, there are some type of food products that contain peanut but cannot be spotted at once like granola, cereal, ice cream, chocolate, nougat, veggie burgers, Asian foods, pesto, sauces, crackers and other baked products. Furthermore, there’s no need to worry for the reason that all food products manufacturers are required to put some of the primary ingredients of their products at their Nutrition Facts Label that contain some food that can cause allergy like peanut.
Some of the ingredients that a person who have peanut allergy must avoid are textured vegetable protein, satay sauce, satay flavor, plant protein, peanutmide, peanut sprout , peanut oil, peanut flour, peanut extracts, peanut butter, peanuts, natural flavorings, monkey nuts, mixed nuts, mandelonas, lupine flour, loramine wax and others that contain peanut. Unfortunately, most of the bakery items and restaurant foods prepared without labels. That is why, it is best to ask the server if the food contains peanut or not to be sure that you are safe.

Peanut allergy is a condition that cannot be controlled. However, it can be prevented. That is why informing your teen about the significance of tips to avoid the signs and symptoms of peanut allergy is an important college health tips because it primarily promotes college health and wellness. So it is best to give them college health tips that can provide them right nutrition they need. College health and wellness are very important because it helps the youth to have an active and healthy life.

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Filed under: Food And Nutrition

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