The Peanut allergy is a distinct kind of food allergy and are different from nut allergies. This particular allergy is type 1 hypersensitivity reaction to the dietary substances related to the peanuts thus causing reaction. It may extend to severe problem if not timely treated. Approximately 0.4-0.6% of the population are affected by it. In the most severe cases the peanut allergies can result in anaphylaxis. This is an emergency situation that requires immediate intervention and treatment with epinephrine.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the peanut allergy is related to the reaction of the Immunoglobulin E and the other anaphylatoxins, which are responsible for releasing the histamine and several other mediator substances from the mast cells.
However some of the very common symptoms of this allergy are :
* The victim can suffer from acute vomiting and diarrhea.
* Sudden swelling up of the lips, throat,skin and lips.
* They may also suffer from acute abdominal pain when the digestion process starts.
* Itching is also a very common visible symptoms.
*The infection thus created can result in asthma and breathing problem.
*Sudden increase in the heart beat is also a common symptom.
To be honest the exact cause of developing a peanut allergy is yet unknown. This allergy tends to attack the children who have first degree relatives with the atopic disease. It has also been found out that that the delayed introduction of the peanut products significantly increases the risks of development of the peanut allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has estimated that peanut allergy is one of the most common cause that results food-related death.
At present there is no confirmed treatment to prevent or cure this particular allergy. However some children have been encouraged to participate in a prescribed method of treating the allergy to the peanuts. According to this method the children are feeded the minuscule peanut traces which will automatically grow larger and larger in order to desensitize the immune system to the peanut allergens. The best way to avoid this allergy is to stop consuming any form of peanut. It is advisable to carry the epinephrine injectors to treat anaphylaxis. Several companies have claimed to have developed many promising drugs to counteract peanut allergies.