Peanut allergy
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
Peanut allergy | |
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Synonyms | N/A |
Pronounce | N/A |
Specialty | N/A |
Symptoms | Hives, swelling, anaphylaxis |
Complications | N/A |
Onset | Minutes to hours after exposure |
Duration | Variable |
Types | N/A |
Causes | Immune system reaction to peanut proteins |
Risks | Family history, atopic dermatitis |
Diagnosis | Skin prick test, blood test for IgE |
Differential diagnosis | Tree nut allergy, food intolerance |
Prevention | Avoidance of peanuts |
Treatment | Epinephrine, antihistamines, corticosteroids |
Medication | N/A |
Prognosis | N/A |
Frequency | ~1-2% of the population |
Deaths | Rare, but possible due to anaphylaxis |
Peanut Allergy: An Overview
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies, characterized by an overreaction of the immune system to proteins found in peanuts. Peanut allergy affects a significant portion of the population, particularly in Western countries. Due to the potential severity of allergic reactions, which can include anaphylaxis, understanding and managing this condition is of paramount importance.
Symptoms of Peanut Allergy
The symptoms of a peanut allergy can range from mild to severe and may include itching, swelling, eczema, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to a few hours after consuming or coming into contact with peanuts.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of peanut allergy is unknown, but it involves the immune system mistakenly identifying peanut proteins as harmful. Risk factors for developing a peanut allergy include family history, age (it is more common in children), and the presence of other allergic conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of a medical history review, dietary review, skin prick tests, blood tests for specific antibodies, and/or an oral food challenge conducted by an allergy specialist.
Management
There is currently no cure for peanut allergies, so management is focused on avoidance of peanuts and peanut-containing products, education on reading food labels, and preparation for accidental exposures. Individuals with a peanut allergy should carry epinephrine auto-injectors in case of severe reactions.
Avoidance Strategies
Avoidance requires careful attention to food labels, communication with food handlers when dining out, and awareness of cross-contact possibilities during food preparation.
Emergency Treatment
In the event of an allergic reaction, immediate administration of epinephrine and seeking emergency medical help is crucial.
Research and Future Directions
Ongoing research is aimed at understanding the causes of peanut allergy and developing treatments such as oral immunotherapy (OIT), which involves administering controlled amounts of peanut protein under medical supervision to build tolerance.
Allergic conditions | ||||||||||
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Hypersensitivity and autoimmune diseases (279.5–6) | ||||||||||||||||
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Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen, Prab R. Tumpati, MD