Do you also get allergic to peanuts? Let's learn more about peanut allergy!

Imagine that you have eaten some peanuts at a party or at a store with a friend. But after a while, your body starts to itch, your body starts to get red, your lips feel swollen. Maybe you even have a little difficulty breathing. Have you had this experience? If so, I am going to tell you something that is very important to you. That is peanut allergy, which is common among many people, but can sometimes be life-threatening.

Simply put, what is this peanut allergy?

It's very simple. A peanut allergy is when our immune system mistakenly identifies a protein in peanuts. Our body thinks that this protein is something very harmful and dangerous to the body. It's like an enemy that has entered our body. So our immune system starts to fight this 'enemy'. As a result of this fight, our body has an allergic reaction. This can cause things like hives, vomiting, and swelling.

Are peanuts the same as other types of cashews?

Many people think that peanuts are a type of tree nut, like cashews, walnuts, and almonds. But that's not true. Peanuts are a legume, a plant that grows underground . Therefore, an allergy to peanuts is different from an allergy to other tree nuts. However, some people can be allergic to both.

What are the symptoms of a peanut allergy?

If you have a peanut allergy, symptoms usually start to appear within two hours of eating them. These symptoms can sometimes start very suddenly.

What symptoms does a small baby show if it develops this?

When babies and young children have this allergy, they don't know how to express it. So they may show this discomfort in other ways.

• Crying with a hoarse voice
• Making a strange noise when breathing
• Continuous hiccups
• Constantly rubbing your eyes
• Itching of the ears
• Sticking out your tongue
• Bending the body like a bow

If you see things like this, you should be concerned about it.

Who is most at risk of developing this allergy?

Although anyone can develop a peanut allergy, some people are at a slightly higher risk.

• Other food allergies, especially those with egg allergies.
• For those who are allergic to things like dust, pollen, and pets.
• For those with conditions like eczema or asthma.
• If your mother or father (genetic parents) has a peanut allergy or other allergies, asthma, or eczema.

How does a doctor diagnose this exactly?

If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, you should definitely see a doctor. The doctor may ask you questions like:

• What symptoms are you experiencing?
• What did you eat? How much did you eat?
• When did the symptoms start?
• Did you do anything to reduce the symptoms?
• How long have the symptoms been present?
• Do you have any other allergies?
• Does anyone in your family have allergies or asthma?

In addition to these questions, several tests can be done to confirm allergies.

1. Allergy skin test: This involves injecting a very small amount of peanut protein into the surface of your skin and seeing if there is a skin reaction.

2. Allergy blood test: This tests the level of IgE antibodies against peanut proteins in your blood.

3. Food challenge test: This is done only under the strict supervision of a doctor. In this, you are gradually introduced to a very small amount of peanuts and are tested for an allergic reaction.

What are the treatments for peanut allergy?

The best and most important thing for this is to completely avoid peanuts and all foods containing peanuts . But apart from that, there are other treatments and medications to use in case of emergency.

Medicines for emergencies

If you have a severe allergy, your doctor will prescribe you medications like this to use in an emergency.

• Epinephrine auto-injector: This is a life-saving device that goes by names like EpiPen® . It should be used at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction.
• Corticosteroids: A type of steroid given to reduce swelling.
• Antihistamines: These are pills that help control allergic reactions. However, they are not used to prevent severe reactions.

Other treatments

These are things that are done under the supervision of specialist doctors.

• Omalizumab injection: This injection, given once or twice a month, can reduce the severe reaction that can occur if you accidentally ingest even a small amount of peanuts.
• Oral immunotherapy (OIT): This involves giving the body a very small amount of peanut protein under medical supervision, gradually increasing it over several months. This is done to accustom the body to peanuts.
• Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): This involves placing a liquid containing peanut protein under the tongue daily. This is also a treatment to help the body get used to peanuts.

Tips to help you avoid foods containing peanuts

Living with a peanut allergy can be a challenge. You have to be careful about what you eat at all times. Here are some tips to help you with that.

• Read labels carefully: Read the ingredients list of every packaged food you buy from the store. Pay special attention to phrases like “May contain peanuts,” “Made on shared equipment.”
• Be careful at restaurants: Before ordering, ask if the food contains peanuts or was prepared on equipment that uses peanuts. However, they may not be able to give a 100% guarantee.
• Teach your child: If your child has this allergy, teach them about it from a young age. Teach them not to eat food that others give them and that they don't know exactly what it is.
• Inform the school: Inform the child's school, class teacher, and other staff about this and explain what to do in an emergency. Give the school an Allergy Action Plan obtained from the doctor.
• Keep emergency medications handy: If you or your child has been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) , keep it with you at all times . Ask your doctor for instructions on how to use it.