What are Peanut Allergies And How It Affects The People Who Have Them?
Allergies of any kind can be very difficult to live with, and although the world allergy make bring about visions of a runny nose and incessant sneezing, food allergies, such as peanut allergies, can actually be quite dangerous and cause health problems that are very serious.
The Causes of Peanut Allergies
Now that you have the answer the question, "What are peanut allergies," it is also important that you understand the causes of these allergies as well. Basically the peanut allergy is caused by coming into contact with some small amount of peanut, causing the body to go into an allergic reaction. Some doctors feel that a mother eating peanut products while pregnant or while breastfeeding in the early months can cause babies to develop peanut allergies. For this reason, many doctors are now recommending that mothers avoid eating peanut products during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and even avoid giving your child these products until they are at least three years old.
Symptoms of a Peanut Allergy
There are a variety of different symptoms that can occur when someone has a peanut allergy and they can vary, depending on the person. Many people have common symptoms that include runny nose, itchy skin, tingling lips or tongue, hoarse voice, coughing, throat tightness, nausea, wheezing, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The Danger of an Anaphylactic Response
In some very serious cases, a peanut allergy can cause an anaphylactic response. This is a very severe form of an allergic reaction and usually there are several serious problems that occur all at one time. When people have an anaphylactic response, they can experience low blood pressure, a swelling tongue, facial swelling, collapse, problems breathing, and more. This is a serious issue that needs immediate medical attention and some people need to have medications administered right away.
Foods to Avoid
Not only do you need to know "what are peanut allergies," but you also need to know the foods to avoid if you do have an allergy to peanuts. Of course you need to avoid peanuts, peanut oil, and peanut butter. Also, candied peanuts, beer nuts, peanut brittle, and mixed nuts should be avoided. Watch out for sauces that have crushed nuts in them, Asian foods that use peanut products, pesto, and Marzipan, which contain nuts. Avoid bouillons, Worcestershire sauce, and various pastries and cakes that you don't know the ingredients for. Also, candies that have nuts, gravy mixes, and salad dressings should be avoided as well.
Dealing with an Emergency
For those who have bad peanut allergies, it is important that you know how to deal with an emergency. Children need to have proper medications at school and adults need to make sure that they carry the proper medications with them at all time. Those who have anaphylactic responses often need to carry epinephrine shots with them, so you need to decide on someone who can give you this shot if a problem occurs. Also, if you have a milder form of allergy, you may want to carry antihistamines with you as well.
Avoiding an Allergic Reaction
Understanding "what are peanut allergies" is important if you are going to avoid having an allergic reaction. Avoiding an allergic reaction is important if you have a peanut allergy. You need to be sure to read all labels very carefully and avoid sharing foods as well. Make sure that you notify key people if you have an allergy or if you have a child with an allergy, be sure that the people around your child area aware of it. Also, using a medical bracelet can be helpful in case a problem occurs and you need medical attention.
