Peanut Allergy Symptoms Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Peanut Allergy Symptoms And Preventing Fatal Consequences

By Tracy Kerr-Walshe

Peanut allergy symptoms can be severe and may lead to fatal consequences. People with a peanut allergy, should be careful not to eat food that may contain peanuts or traces of peanuts. If you or a member of your family has a peanut allergy, then you should always read the food label on the food product to confirm if any peanuts are present.

There was a story a couple of years ago, where two children swapped food in a kindergarten. One child had a peanut allergy and was given a peanut butter sandwich. The child went into shock and subsequently died. This, is why we need to be careful and inform the school, if your child has a food allergy, so that the school is prepared to provide immediate treatment and keep your child alive.

Some food allergies can develop in childhood and disappear when the child grows older. Other food allergies remain active for their entire life. This, is why we need to always be alert and prepared to act, when we see peanut allergy symptoms.

Peanut Allergy Can Lead To Fatal Consequences

Having a peanut allergy can be difficult because peanuts are a pretty common food ingredient. It’s important to know that you have a peanut allergy so that you can avoid any food triggers. A peanut allergy might not sound that serious, but symptoms occur soon after ingesting peanut and can sometimes even result in death.

Peanut allergy symptoms include hives, redness and swelling on the skin, itching around the mouth and in the throat, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea/vomiting, chest tightening, shortness of breath and a runny/stuffy nose.

Anaphylaxis In Severe Cases

In more severe cases, a peanut allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction that causes the body to go into shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include constricting airways in the body, a big drop in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness/loss of consciousness. People experiencing anaphylaxis can die very quickly if they aren’t treated.

It’s unknown why only some people develop peanut allergies and others don’t, but it’s known that peanut allergy symptoms are caused by a malfunction in the immune system. Our immune systems detect harmful foreign substances that enter the body and fight them.

Immune System Thinks Peanut Is Harmful

When fighting the pathogens, cells will release histamine, which is a signal for an inflammatory response. The symptom of inflammation is not the pathogen itself, but a result of the body fighting the pathogen.

When the pathogen is eliminated, the immune system remembers it by creating antibodies so that the next time that pathogen enters the body, the antibodies trigger an immune reaction. In the case of peanut allergies, the immune system for some reason thinks that peanut is harmful and it develops antibodies against it, so peanut allergy symptoms occur the next time you’re exposed to peanut.

Three Ways Of Triggering Symptoms

Peanut allergy symptoms are triggered in 3 ways. One is through direct exposure to peanuts by eating them or touching them. Another is accidental exposure in which peanut accidentally gets into your food, which can happen because of different foods touching each other during factory processing.

The last way is by inhaling peanut from peanut products. People who have peanut allergies should try to avoid eating or being around peanut foods and products, and it’s best to stay away even from foods that might have been exposed to peanuts.

Sometimes food will come with a warning label saying that it was processed in a factory that also processes nut products. Most people will experience the milder symptoms, but those who are at risk for anaphylaxis should carry around an epinephrine injection with them in case of an emergency.

Confirm The Allergy With Your Doctor

If you suspect you or a member of your family has a peanut allergy, then you should see a doctor immediately to confirm the allergy. If you do have a peanut allergy, then your doctor will inform you to stay away from peanuts. The doctor may also send you to an allergy specialist, to review your options and manage your allergy.

When you go to a dinner party, or order food at a restaurant, ensure you inform the cook that you are allergic to peanuts and not to include any form of peanuts in the meal. People with food allergies, find it hard to eat outside their home, as they are not sure what is in the food they will be eating. This is why they take the safest option and do not eat out.

No Traces Of Peanuts

It is not only the food to be without peanuts, the food should not have any traces of peanuts and the cooking materials should not be used to prepare your meal, that was used to prepare a meal containing peanuts. When you are at a party, quite often one is not sure what is in the meal, how it was cooked and what was used to cook the meal.

This is why some people, avoid eating meals when out, to avoid the consequences of peanut allergy symptoms.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Peanut Allergy Symptoms.

About the Author:
Tracy Kerr-Walshe is an author of articles on health, diet, weight loss and nutrition including Whole Foods, Organic Foods, Healthy Snacks, Effective Weight Loss, Full Body Detox, Juice Fasting.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More Facts About Snack Foods

Are there healthy alternatives to store bought snack foods?
Of course there are healthy alternatives to store bought snack foods. Some of the healthiest choices for snacks are to eat a piece of fruit. You will not only get some of your daily recommended vitamins but you will also get a very healthy boost in energy. If you are tired of fruit and vegetables as a snack, you can always make homemade granola bars.

This way you can control the amount of protein, carbohydrates and sugars that go into the bars. They can be made fairly quickly and store very well. Even cookies and cakes can be prepared in a more healthy way. You may have to do a little bit of research to find out great substitutions but you will be doing your part to help snack a bit healthier. Other healthy alternatives could be beef jerky, nuts, berries or even a cup of yogurt.