Are peanuts your enemy? Let's find out exactly what peanut allergy is!

Peanuts are a favorite food for many of us. Boiled and salted , fried, added to food… they are delicious in any way. But for some, especially young children, these peanuts can be a life-threatening threat. You may have noticed that many birthday parties and schools now do not serve certain foods. The reason for this is to protect children with peanut allergies . It is scary to think about how such a small piece of food can cause so much harm. But do not be afraid. If we are fully aware of this, recognize the symptoms, and learn how to avoid peanuts, we can greatly reduce the risk of a severe reaction.

Who is more at risk? What is the reason?

In general, young children, especially toddlers and infants, are more likely to develop food allergies than adults.

If you or someone in your family has another type of allergy (for example, asthma, an allergy to dust), you are at a higher risk of developing a peanut allergy. Also, if you have a skin condition like eczema , that can also be a cause.

But here's something that many people get confused about. Peanuts are not a type of nut that grows underground, but actually a legume. So being allergic to peanuts doesn't necessarily mean you're also allergic to tree nuts like cashews, almonds, and walnuts. However, recent research has found that between 25% and 40% of people with peanut allergies may also be allergic to other nuts. So it's best to talk to your doctor to be sure.

What are the ways peanuts can enter the body?

Most allergies are triggered by eating peanuts directly. Perhaps they are unknowingly contained in a salad, chocolate, biscuit, or sauce.

But did you know that if you are very sensitive, even if it enters your body indirectly, it can still cause a severe reaction?

Simply think about it this way. You buy a meal from a store. There are no peanuts in that meal. But what happens if the chef who made that meal made something like peanut sambol before that, and then used the same knife and cutting board to prepare your meal without washing it properly? Tiny pieces of those peanuts can end up in your food. We call this cross- contact . Sometimes, even inhaling peanut powder in the air can cause a reaction.

What are the symptoms of a peanut allergy?

Symptoms begin to appear within minutes of peanut ingestion. These are the most common symptoms.

The most dangerous reaction: Anaphylaxis

This is the most severe and life-threatening reaction to a peanut allergy. It is a medical emergency . In this condition, called anaphylaxis , several body systems can be affected at once.

If you have a condition like asthma, if someone in your family has a history of severe allergies like this, or if you have had this condition before, you are at higher risk.

For some people with severe peanut allergies, their doctor may prescribe a special injection. This is an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector . These are available under names like ` EpiPen` and `Auvi-Q`. It is important to keep this with you at all times. This injection should be used as soon as severe symptoms begin.

These are the symptoms of anaphylaxis:

How do you know for sure if you have an allergy?

If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, the best thing to do is to see an allergist. Before you go to see the doctor, it can be helpful to keep a food diary of what you eat and any reactions you have.

If you've never had a severe reaction, your doctor may tell you to go on an "elimination diet," which involves completely eliminating suspect foods (like peanuts) for a week or two. Then, they'll reintroduce those foods one by one to see which ones cause a reaction.

In addition, you can also do a skin test . This involves placing a very small amount of peanut-based liquid on your skin and pricking it with a small needle. If you have an allergy, the area will turn red, swell, and show a rash-like reaction within a few minutes. A blood test can also be done to see if your immune system is reacting to peanuts.

How do you avoid peanuts?

There is no cure for this allergy. The only solution is to completely avoid peanuts and all products containing peanuts.

• Read labels: Always read the label of every food you buy from the store. Because sometimes the ingredients of the product can change. You may not even think about it (sauces, cakes, biscuits, some curry pastes) containing peanuts.
• When in doubt, ask: If the label is unclear, it's best to ask the manufacturer, or simply avoid using the food.

No matter how careful you are, sometimes you can accidentally ingest peanuts. Therefore, it is important to know what to do in an emergency.

Most people have a peanut allergy for the rest of their lives. However, some research suggests that about 20% of children with this allergy outgrow it as they grow older. But that's not for you to decide, it's for your doctor.