How to Know Peanut Allergy Symptoms

Peanut allergy, one of the most common and most dangerous of all food allergies, is on the rise. Doctors don't know for sure why there is such a pronounced increase of this allergy, though there is speculation that it's an abnormal immune response to overexposure to the peanut protein. Regardless of the cause, the reality is that the symptoms of peanut allergy can be sudden and deadly. For those who may be allergic, it's best both to recognize the symptoms and put precautions in place.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Medical alert tags
• Benadryl
• Emergency dose of epinepherine

1. Know the triggers. For people who are extremely allergic to peanuts, symptoms can occur in relation to any contact with peanuts or peanut oil. This means that, for some people, even the smell of a peanut butter sandwich can cause difficulty breathing and dangerous swelling around the lips, mouth and tongue.
2. Proceed with caution if you have allergies to any other tree nuts. An allergy to walnuts, cashews or pistachios makes you extremely vulnerable to peanut allergy too. This is because they all contain the same allergenic proteins, known as Ara h 1, 2 and 3.
3. Pay attention to the beginning signs of an allergic reaction. Tongue swelling, hives, tightening of the throat and vomiting after exposure to peanuts or a peanut-containing product should be heeded as precursor to more significant symptoms. Allergic children, in particular, should be taught to recognize these signs, since they are more likely to be chronically exposed to peanut products in the school environment.
4. Know the symptoms of a less severe peanut allergy. Continued exposure to the allergenic proteins can cause itchy skin rashes, wheals, nasal congestion and hives. Keeping liquid diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl, on hand for easy administration can help to ease these lesser symptoms.
5. Read labels carefully and questions food preparers. Just because a product doesn't specifically say it contains peanuts or peanut oil doesn't mean it's not there. Many items and restaurants now indicate whether an item has been thickened with or even cooked near peanuts or a derivative product.

Tips & Warnings

• Parents of children with peanut allergy should speak at length with the school about taking extra precautions to avoid exposure. Some schools have gone so far as to ban any peanut products on school grounds.
• Peanut allergy suffers should wear medical alert tags and carry an emergency dose of epinephrine at all times. The reaction can be so swift that the medication dose should be administered prior to emergency responders arriving at the scene.