Do you also have trouble eating peanuts? Let's talk about peanut allergy!

Today we are going to talk about something that many people have, and that can sometimes cause trouble in ways that we don't even realize. That is Peanut Allergy. Some foods may contain peanuts in ways that we don't even think about, like chili sauce! So, it is very important to be aware of this.

What exactly are peanuts?

Okay, let's first look at what peanuts are. Do you think peanuts are a type of nut like other tree nuts? Not really! Peanuts are a legume family. Just like the lentils and chickpeas we eat. But, surprisingly, the structure of the proteins in peanuts is very similar to the proteins in tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, pecans, and cashews . That's why someone who is allergic to peanuts is likely to be allergic to these other tree nuts as well. Some food allergies, for example, allergies to milk, eggs, soy, and wheat, go away over time. However, many people can have peanut and tree nut allergies for life. So it's not a good idea to take this lightly.

What happens inside the body during a peanut allergy?

Now let's look at what happens inside the body of someone with a peanut allergy. Simply put, our immune system is what fights off diseases and germs. However, if someone with a peanut allergy eats something that contains peanuts, this immune system looks at the proteins in the peanuts as if they were a dangerous enemy. It thinks, 'Oh, this is something that is not good for the body!' and starts a big fight to drive that 'enemy' away. This is what is called an allergic reaction. The amazing thing is that even a very small amount of peanut protein can cause this kind of reaction. However, it is very rare for small pieces of peanuts to get inside and cause an allergic reaction. This is because usually you have to eat peanuts to have a reaction. Most of the time, there is not enough protein in the food that contains peanuts to cause a reaction. Also, just smelling a food containing peanuts won't cause an allergy, because the smell doesn't contain proteins.

What are the symptoms of a peanut allergy?

When someone with a peanut allergy eats or drinks something that contains peanuts, their body releases chemicals called histamine. This can cause symptoms such as:

• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Hoarseness of voice
• Feeling like a lump in the throat
• Stomach ache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Itchy , watery, or swollen eyes
• Hives
• Body swelling
• A drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness or fainting
• Just a fear, a feeling that something bad is going to happen (anxiety)

The most important thing is that allergic reactions to food can vary from person to person. Sometimes, even in the same person, the reaction can be different at different times. So you need to be very careful.

The most dangerous condition: Anaphylaxis and treatment

Peanut allergy can cause a very severe, even life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. This is what we should fear the most.

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis may start with the usual allergy symptoms mentioned earlier. But, imagine, it can suddenly get worse, causing difficulty breathing, dizziness, and even passing out. If not treated in time, this can be life-threatening. So this is no joke!

Epinephrine saves lives!

If you have a peanut allergy (or any other severe food allergy), your doctor will probably tell you to keep two doses of epinephrine on hand in case of an emergency. Epinephrine (pronounced: e-pi-ne-frin) is a medication prescribed by a doctor. It comes in a small, portable device called an auto-injector. It's easy to use. Your doctor will show you how to use it. You should keep this epinephrine with you at all times. It won't work in your locker or in the school nurse's office.

Every second counts in an allergic reaction. If you start to have severe allergic symptoms, such as swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, use epinephrine immediately. Also, if you have two-part symptoms, such as skin rash and vomiting, use it immediately. Then call 911 immediately (or in Sri Lanka, 1990 Suwa Seriya) or have someone go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible. You need to stay under medical supervision, because sometimes, even when it seems like the worst is over, a second wave of severe symptoms can occur.

Allergy Action Plan and Antihistamine

Your doctor can give you an Allergy Action Plan . This can help you prepare for, recognize, and treat an allergic reaction. Share this plan with anyone who needs to be aware, such as your family, school officials, and sports coaches. Also, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet. Keeping epinephrine with you at all times is just one part of your action plan. It's also a good idea to keep an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine on hand. This can help relieve minor allergy symptoms. But never use antihistamines instead of epinephrine for severe reactions! Epinephrine should always be used as the first treatment.

How to live with a peanut allergy?

If your allergy skin testing confirms that you have a peanut allergy, an allergist will advise you on what to do.

The main thing: definitely avoid peanuts!

The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid peanuts altogether. This doesn't just mean not eating peanuts. It also means not eating any foods that may contain peanuts as an ingredient.

Pay special attention to these things when reading labels

The best way to know for sure if a food is peanut-free is to read the label carefully. In countries like the United States, food manufacturers are required to state on the label whether their food contains peanuts or not. In Sri Lanka, this information is often available. First, look at the ingredients list. After looking at the ingredients list, look for words like: "may contain peanuts" or "produced on shared equipment with tree nuts or peanuts." People with peanut allergies should avoid foods with these words on the label. They may not use peanuts as an ingredient, but they may contain small traces of peanuts. This is called cross-contamination . This means that peanuts can be added to a non-peanut food when it is prepared or served in a place where other foods use peanuts. Although manufacturers are not legally required to list accidental cross-contamination on their labels, many now mention it.

The most risky foods

Here are some of the foods that pose the greatest risk to people with peanut allergies:

• Cookies and baked goods.Even though peanuts are not an ingredient in this product, there is a possibility of cross-contamination with peanuts. Unless you know exactly what is in the product and where it was made, it is safest to avoid cookies and other baked goods, whether purchased from a store or bakery.
• Candy. Candy from small bakeries, small manufacturers (or even homemade) may contain peanuts as a secret ingredient. It is safest to eat only candy made by large manufacturers and clearly labeled as safe.
• Ice cream. Unfortunately, ice cream shops often use the same scoops, which can lead to cross-contamination. Soft-serve ice cream, custard, water ice, and yogurt shops also have this risk, as the same machines and equipment are used for different flavors. Instead, do what you do with candy: buy tubs of ice cream from the supermarket, make sure they are from a major manufacturer, and that the label says they are safe.
• Sauces. Many cooks use peanuts or peanut butter in chili and other sauces.

Always be careful!

Always be careful. Even if you've eaten a food before, manufacturers sometimes change their manufacturing methods – for example, switching to a supplier that uses equipment that handles peanuts. Because ingredients can change, it's important to always read the label, even if the food was previously safe. Also, even two foods that look the same can have differences in the way they're made.

What else do you want to know?

Here are a few more things you should remember:

• Be aware of the potential for cross-contamination on kitchen surfaces and equipment – ​​everything from knives and cutting boards to the toaster. Make sure someone in the house isn't using the same knife to butter your bread that made a peanut butter sandwich.
• Avoid cooked dishes that you didn't make and don't know exactly what the ingredients are.
• Tell everyone who handles your food – from relatives to restaurant waiters – that you have a peanut allergy. If a restaurant manager, chef, or owner seems uncomfortable with your request to make a peanut-free meal, don't eat there.
• Make your school lunches and snacks at home. That way you can control how they are prepared.
• Find out if your school knows about your allergy and if they have an action plan for you.
• Keep epinephrine with you at all times. For example, don't keep it in your locker – always keep it in a pocket, purse, or book bag that is close to you.

Finally, remember this...

Living with a food allergy can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, as more and more people are being diagnosed with food allergies, businesses and restaurants are now more aware of the risks. Whether you’re visiting a friend’s house or having lunch with them, if they don’t know about your food allergy, tell them in advance. That way, they can be a little more prepared (like not sharing your drink after eating that peanut butter sandwich!). They’ll understand. As your friends, they’d expect you to be just as careful when taking care of them, right? If you want to learn more about managing food allergies, check out these resources (if you’re in Sri Lanka, ask your doctor about these resources):

• Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) (this is an international organization)

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